Citations

Abstract Introduction Introduction: Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is strongly associated with progressive phenoconversion to an overt synucleinopathy (e.g., parkinsonism). Neurotrauma [i.e., traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)], increases the odds of RBD diagnosis by ~2.5-fold and is associated with an increased later diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), a service-connected illness in Veterans. Thus, RBD and neurotrauma are both independently associated with parkinsonism; however, it is unclear how neurotrauma influences neurological symptoms and exam findings in patients with RBD. Methods Methods: Participants ≥18 years of age with overnight polysomnogram-confirmed RBD were enrolled between 8/2018 to 4/2021 as part of the North American Prodromal Synucleinopathy (NAPS) Consortium. Standardized assessments for RBD, TBI, and PTSD history, as well as cognitive, motor, sensory and autonomic function were completed. This sub-study applied a cross-sectional, case-control (1:4 ratio) analysis comparing cases (n=24; RBD+TBI+PTSD) to controls (n=96; RBD) matched for age (±2 years), sex, and years of education (±2 years). Results Results: Participants with neurotrauma reported an earlier age of RBD symptom onset and more severe RBD phenotype, more severe anxiety and depression, greater frequency of hypertension, and significantly worse cognitive, motor, and autonomic function compared to participants without neurotrauma. Conclusion Conclusion: This cross-sectional, matched case:control study showed that individuals with comorbid neurotrauma and RBD have significantly worse neurological outcomes related to common features of early parkinsonism. Although confirmatory longitudinal studies are still ongoing, these results may be a sign of further/faster progression of synucleinopathy in those with comorbid neurotrauma and RBD. Support (if any) Support: NIH R34 AG056639, NIH U19 AG071754, VA RRD 1K2 RX002947, Parkinsons Center of Oregon

Abstract Introduction In a recent study, most patients diagnosed with isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) preferred their physician discussed their risk for developing a future neurodegenerative disorder (NDD) such as parkinsonism or dementia (PD). In the Mayo Clinic email survey, 75% would lose trust in their physician if PD-risk was not discussed following an iRBD diagnosis. For this survey, questions were designed to investigate preferences for how sleep physicians might communicate to community-based adults about risk of a NDD. Methods A survey was administered to Rotary Club attendees prior to a sleep and neurodegenerative disease presentation, with options for responses being either strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, or strongly agree. Thirty-four surveys were obtained from approximately equal numbers of men and women with estimated ages above 50 years. Personal information were not obtained (i.e., sex and age). Results The vast majority of respondents wanted their physician to ask their preference prior to sharing NDD risk (86% strongly agreed or agreed), while virtually all would lose trust in their physician if he/she did not discuss their NDD risk (97% strongly agreed/agreed). If identified with NDD risk, responders would seek out information about medications and adaptive therapies that could delay onset (97% strongly agreed/agreed), while only about half currently had a good understanding of lifestyle patterns that might help delay onset (47% strongly agreed/agreed and 47% disagreed/strongly disagreed). Not knowing when memory problems might begin would cause most responders to feel anxious (85% strongly agreed/agreed). Conclusion Those surveyed wanted their physician to ask their preference prior to sharing NDD risk, but virtually all would lose trust in their health care provider if the information was known but not shared. There appears to be a role for physicians in educating those who may be at NDD risk about interventions that could delay onset of NDD, given approximately half have a limited understanding of lifestyle patterns that could help delay onset. Further, routine follow-up for changes in prodromal NDD biomarker severity might help to reduce anxiety in the 85% of those concerned about when memory problems might begin. Support (if any) NIA-R44AG050326

AbstractIntroductionRemote smartphone assessments of cognition, speech/language, and motor functioning in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) could enable decentralized clinical trials and improve access to research. We studied the feasibility and acceptability of remote smartphone data collection in FTD research using the ALLFTD Mobile App (ALLFTD‐mApp).MethodsA diagnostically mixed sample of 214 participants with FTD or from familial FTD kindreds (asymptomatic: CDR®+NACC‐FTLD = 0 [N = 101]; prodromal: 0.5 [N = 49]; symptomatic ≥1 [N = 51]; not measured [N = 13]) were asked to complete ALLFTD‐mApp tests on their smartphone three times within 12 days. They completed smartphone familiarity and participation experience surveys.ResultsIt was feasible for participants to complete the ALLFTD‐mApp on their own smartphones. Participants reported high smartphone familiarity, completed ∼ 70% of tasks, and considered the time commitment acceptable (98% of respondents). Greater disease severity was associated with poorer performance across several tests.DiscussionThese findings suggest that the ALLFTD‐mApp study protocol is feasible and acceptable for remote FTD research.HIGHLIGHTS The ALLFTD Mobile App is a smartphone‐based platform for remote, self‐administered data collection. The ALLFTD Mobile App consists of a comprehensive battery of surveys and tests of executive functioning, memory, speech and language, and motor abilities. Remote digital data collection using the ALLFTD Mobile App was feasible in a multicenter research consortium that studies FTD. Data was collected in healthy controls and participants with a range of diagnoses, particularly FTD spectrum disorders. Remote digital data collection was well accepted by participants with a variety of diagnoses.