Periódicos Brasil Pesquisa Científica · May 17, 2026

REM Sleep Disorder and Its Link to Neurological Diseases

By Ribeiro FS, Peixoto WDA, Gurgel KHG et al.

REM sleep behavior disorder (TSREM) is characterized by the loss of physiological muscle atonia during REM sleep, allowing the individual to perform movements and vocalizations associated with dream content. In recent years, the disorder has attracted growing scientific interest due to its strong association with neurodegenerative diseases, especially Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. The present study aimed to conduct a literature review on TSREM and its relationship with neurological diseases, with an emphasis on neurodegenerative conditions, exploring the pathophysiological mechanisms involved, the neurological and cognitive impacts, as well as the possibilities for early diagnosis. This is a literature review conducted through a bibliographic search in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO databases, using articles published between 2019 and 2025 in Portuguese and English. The results demonstrated that TSREM has an important relationship with neurodegenerative processes associated with the accumulation of neurotoxic proteins, such as alpha-synuclein, beta-amyloid, and tau protein, as well as neuroanatomical changes in the brainstem and glymphatic system dysfunction. It was also observed that persistent alterations in REM sleep can negatively impact memory, cognition, and quality of life in affected individuals. It is concluded that TSREM represents an important early biomarker of neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the relevance of early diagnosis and ongoing neurological follow-up for preventing complications and monitoring neurodegenerative progression.

doi.org/10.36557/2674-9432.2026v5n3p1285-1315Open accessMechanisms