To search for discriminating biomarkers, 30 patients with idiopathic rapid-eyemovements sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) were compared with 17 patients
with RBD within narcolepsy type 1. Both groups underwent extensive examinations, including skin biopsy searching for phosphorylated a-synuclein deposits
and whole-night video-polysomnography. Skin biopsy was positive for phosphorylated a-synuclein deposits in 86.7% of iRBD patients and in none of narcoleptic patients. The analysis of video-polysomnographic motor events showed
differences in their occurrence throughout the night in the two groups. iRBD
and RBD due to narcolepsy do have different clinical and pathological findings,
confirming a different pathophysiology. CLICK TO REVIEW