The subjects all had polysomnographic-proven RBD at baseline, without neurodegenerative disease. Most of them were men and were about 70 years old, on average. Subjects were tested for synucleinopathies and risk variables annually. The mean disease-free follow-up was about 4 years, but ranged out to 19 years. Risks were adjusted for age, sex, and study center.
Cognition deficits were the only thing that distinguished future dementia patients from those destined for movement disorders. “Everything [else] is really the same between who gets dementia and who gets Parkinsonism,” Dr. Postuma said.
The study was funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research and the Fonds de la Recherche Sante Quebec. Dr. Postuma disclosed consulting, speaking, and other fees from Biotie, Roche/Prothena, Teva Neurosciences, Novartis Canada, Theranexus, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and GE HealthCare.
SOURCE: Postuma R et al. AAN 2018, plenary session.