A new study identifies early signs of brain illness during sleep.

In a new study published in the journal eBioMedicine, researchers discovered a possible early warning sign for serious brain disorders like Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia.

The key resides in our sleep and the DNA found within our cells' powerhouses, the mitochondria.

Mitochondria play an important role in neuron survival, acting as tiny internal batteries for our brain cells. Unlike the majority of our body's cells, neurons rely almost entirely on these organelles for energy.

The study found that when mitochondrial DNA within these organelles begins to lose portions of its genetic code, it may warn the onset of neurodegenerative disorders long before the traditional symptoms occur.

The analysis was led by Álex Iranzo, a professor at the University of Barcelona and head of the Neurology Service at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, and Ramon Trullàs, a researcher from the Spanish National Research Council.


This study, led by Margalida Puigròs and colleagues, aimed to uncover the underlying causes of idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD).

iRBD is a condition that interrupts the deepest stage of sleep, causing patients to play out their dreams, sometimes violently. This condition is noteworthy since it frequently precedes the onset of Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia.

To go deeper, the researchers examined cerebral fluid samples from 71 patients, some of whom had iRBD and others who developed Parkinson's disease or Lewy body dementia. Their findings were shocking.

Patients with iRBD had a higher level of mitochondrial DNA deletions—missing portions of genetic material—than those in a healthy control group.

The link between mitochondrial DNA damage and iRBD could be a key hint in understanding how neurodegenerative disorders develop.

What's more intriguing is that the amount of mitochondrial DNA with deletions in people with iRBD was associated to how rapidly they developed full-blown Parkinson's symptoms.

This finding shows that mitochondrial DNA damage is more than a side effect; it could be one of the first dominoes to fall in the complicated sequence of events that leads to these severe illnesses.

This discovery is a huge step forward in the fight against neurodegenerative disorders, providing hope for earlier detection and potentially leading to novel treatments.

Identifying early signals of disease before characteristic symptoms appear could allow clinicians to treat sooner, perhaps slowing or even halting the progression of disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia.

The researchers ask for more research to determine the specific significance of mitochondrial DNA deletions in neurodegenerative diseases.

However, this study reveals a crucial insight: often the simplest details, particularly, shockingly, sleep habits, hold the key to solving the most complex mysteries in brain health.

If you are concerned about your brain's health, please read about research that link Vitamin B9 deficiency to an increased risk of dementia, and how cranberries may aid improve memory.

For additional information on brain health, please check new studies on heartburn medicines that may raise the risk of dementia, as well as findings indicating that the MIND diet may maintain cognitive function and prevent dementia.

The research results can be found at eBioMedicine.