DLB-PSG

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Does non-rapid eye movement sleep differ in dementia with Lewy bodies? A home polysomnography study (DLB-PSG)

  • IRAS ID

    307601

  • Contact name

    Lyndsey Dixon

  • Contact email

    CNTWSponsormanagement@cntw.nhs.uk

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common form of dementia. Sleep problems are a common feature of DLB, and the best-understood sleep symptom in DLB is rapid eye movement (REM) behaviour disorder, where people appear to act out their dreams during REM sleep. However, we do not know much about what happens during non-REM sleep in people with DLB.

    There are two relevant features of brain activity that occur during non-REM sleep; these are known as sleep spindles and slow-wave sleep. These features of sleep originate from parts of the brain that are affected by DLB. Additionally, these features of sleep are very strongly associated with attention, learning and memory, which is impaired in people with DLB.

    In this study, we will measure brain activity during sleep in people with DLB, Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) and people without dementia, using a non-invasive technique called polysomnography. We will examine if these features of non-REM sleep are different in DLB and AD, and if they are associated with learning and memory in DLB.
    We expect that sleep spindles and slow-wave sleep will be different in DLB. This might help us to use home-based sleep monitoring to improve the diagnosis of DLB.

  • REC name

    Wales REC 1

  • REC reference

    22/WA/0057

  • Date of REC Opinion

    28 Mar 2022

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion