REM Behavior Disorder - FAQs

Q: Who treats patients with REM Behavior Disorder (RBD)?

A: A sleep specialist treats patients with REM Behavior Disorder (RBD).

Q: Is it true that patients with REM Behavior Disorder (RBD) subsequently develop Parkinson’s disease?

A: Yes, about 38% of patients diagnosed with RBD subsequently developed Parkinson's disease within an average time of 12 to 13 years from the onset of RBD symptoms.

Q: A person can pretend that he is suffering from this disorder, can it be proved that he is not having this disorder?

A: Yes, two points can help to prove that:

On a polysomnographic recording a normal REM stage of sleep shows up as heightened brain activity with loss of muscle tone in the chin Electromyogram (EMG). In a person with RBD the recording will show heightened brain activity with increased muscle tone in the chin Electromyogram (EMG). Further, if there is a video recording it will further help to confirm the findings.

Q: Does lack of adequate sleep aggravate this disorder?

A: All sleep disorders are aggravated by lack of adequate sleep. Adhering to strict sleep hygiene reduces the frequency and severity of attacks.

Q: What are the other aggravating factors?

A: An acute form of the disorder may occur during withdrawal from alcohol or sedative-hypnotic drugs.

Q: How effective is the treatment regimen for REM Behavior Disorder (RBD)?

A: REM Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a progressive disease, but the symptoms are effectively controlled with Clonazepam.