COSP-RBD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Observational case-control study investigating the history of concussion and exposure to contact sports in patients with REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) versus controls (without a diagnosis of RBD)
IRAS ID
327648
Contact name
Laura Pérez-Carbonell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterised by the presence of acting-out behaviours in sleep and vivid dreams, which diagnosis requires the demonstration of loss of REM atonia or an RBD episode on a video-polysomnography (v-PSG). Patients with the isolated form of RBD are at a high risk to develop Parkinson’s disease or related neurodegenerative conditions (synucleinopathies). There is also solid evidence showing that repeated concussions lead to an increased risk to develop a neurodegenerative disorder such as Parkinson’s disease, and all-causes of dementia, among others.
The primary aim of the study is to assess the history of concussions and their characteristics, as well as history of exposure to contact sports and their degree of such activity, in patients with RBD, and compare these with control subjects. A secondary objective of the study is to investigate clinical and demographic differences between RBD patients exposed to concussions or contact sports and those with no history of these.
Participants will be recruited at the Sleep Disorders Centre (SDC), Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. They will undergo a phone interview; no follow up assessment will be required. The aimed number of RBD patients recruited is 80 and the number of controls is 60. The overall duration of the study is estimated at 12 months.
Given the prognostic implications of an RBD diagnosis and the links between head injury and neurodegeneration, it is relevant to assess the characteristics of previous concussions or exposure to head-impact sports in patients with RBD. This will provide further evidence to help increase the awareness of isolated RBD (hopefully leading to a more timely diagnosis of this condition), and potentially aid the development of health and government policies, including those relating to safer sport practices.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/YH/0293
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion