Nightmares for elderly may be early sign of Parkinson’s

NIGHTMARES in later life could be a warning sign that Parkinson’s disease is on the way, scientists believe, after finding frequent bad dreams indicate a doubled risk of developing the condition.

A study of nearly 4,000 older men found that one in 23 who suffered nightmares went on to develop the neurodegenerative condition within 12 years, compared with one in 43 sound sleepers.

Researchers speculate that in the early, undetected stages of Parkinson’s, it may cause degeneration in regions of the brain that usually suppress negative emotions when people are asleep.

Experts from the University of Birmingham said screening older people for late-onset nightmares could help identify those most at risk and allow earlier intervention.

Dr Abidemi Otaiku, of Birmingham’s Centre for Human Brain Health, said: “While we need to carry out further research in this area, identifying the significance of bad dreams and nightmares could indicate that individuals who experience changes to their dreams in older age – without any obvious trigger – should seek medical advice.”

Around 18,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s each year in Britain and some 145,000 currently live with the disease which is caused by a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain called the substantia nigra.

This hampers dopamine production, hinders movement, causing muscles to stiffen along with tremors and increased risk of serious infections.

Although there is no cure for the condition, catching the disease early can help to slow down progression and

‘Study could indicate those with changes to dreams in older age – with no obvious trigger – should seek advice’

patients can be taught how to control symptoms.

Researchers studied 3,818 men over the age of 67 for up to 12 years. None had Parkinson’s at the beginning of the study but 91 had been diagnosed by its conclusion. Among those who did not report bad dreams just 2.2 per cent developed the disease. That rose to 4.3 per cent for those who had nightmares. The study was published in The Lancet’s

online jo urn ale clinical medicine.