title: Cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin levels are normal in idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a common sleep disorder that can be associated with a number of neurodegenerative conditions as well as with narcolepsy. Current diagnostic criteria require overnight polysomnography, and there are no other biomarkers available. The control of REM sleep is complex with a putative on/off switch within the brainstem activated, amongst other things, by hypocretinergic pathways from the lateral hypothalamus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin levels were measured in five patients with idiopathic RBD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hypocretin levels were between 254 and 450 pg/ml and therefore within the normal range of >100 pg/ml.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypocretin levels in patients with idiopathic RBD are normal.
authors.affiliation: Regional Neurosciences Centre, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6BE, UK. kirstie.anderson@nuth.nhs.uk
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Shneerson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D000068797:Orexins; D020187:REM Sleep Behavior Disorder / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*
chemical_list: D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D000068797:Orexins