Sleep is one of the pillars of health. However, sleep disturbances can be a common symptom in Parkinson’s, affecting up to 98% of patients. It also can precede the appearance of the first motor symptoms, sometimes by up to a decade.
The causes of broken sleep are varied and unique to the person experiencing them.
From their studies, and from what is known about how the brain works, Dr Maria Pushpanathan, UWA School of Psychological Science and her colleagues have shown that there are relationships between sleep and daytime function.
By improving sleep symptoms, potentially, the progression of Parkinson's may slow and, subsequently, the quality of life may improve. Translating this new knowledge could also have major clinical implications for the treatment of problematic sleep issues in people with Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder of the nervous system, which is characterised by both motor (movement) and non-motor-symptoms. Its cause is unknown, however, it results from damage to the nerve cells in areas of the brain that produce dopamine. Dopamine is the vital chemical messenger that initiates control of muscles and movement.
Want to find out more? Head to the full article, Parkinson’s disease: when you sleep better, you feel better
We thank The University of Western Australia for contributing this information and accompanying video. We acknowledge that this content has not been altered from the original intent of the author.
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