Talking and screaming during sleep could be among the earliest warning signs of Parkinson's disease, according to Russian neurologist Alexey Vasilyev.
Vasilyev, who serves as head of the neurology department at Yusupov Hospital in Moscow, told news outlet Lenta.ru that disruptive nocturnal behaviors can signal the onset of serious neurodegenerative disorders years before traditional symptoms emerge.
In addition to talking and shouting, early nocturnal symptoms may include punching, kicking, sudden thrashing movements, and falling out of bed.
The specialist explained that during the rapid eye movement phase of sleep, commonly known as REM sleep, the brain normally inhibits muscle movement. When this natural paralysis mechanism fails, sleepers do not merely experience emotional dreams but physically engage in them by waving their arms, shouting, fighting off perceived threats, or attempting to run.
Link to neurodegenerative conditions
Vasilyev emphasized that experiencing such sleep disturbances on occasion does not automatically indicate a neurological illness. However, scientific research confirms that rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder can precede the clinical manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases by many years.
In addition to Parkinson's disease, Vasilyev warned that the sleep disorder is linked to dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy. Parkinson's disease is a progressive central nervous system disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells, affecting movement and motor control.
Dementia with Lewy bodies involves microscopic protein deposits in nerve cells that disrupt memory and brain function, while multiple system atrophy is a rare condition affecting the autonomic nervous system and movement. Yusupov Hospital, where Vasilyev practices, is a medical facility in Moscow known for specialized neurological diagnosis and treatment.
Key warning signs to monitor
The neurologist advised that adults should pay close attention if these physical sleep episodes begin in adulthood and become a regular occurrence.
The risk is higher when sleep disruptions are combined with other early physical signs, including an impaired sense of smell, persistent constipation, hand tremors, or a noticeable slowness of movement known as bradykinesia.
The insights follow previous comments from neurologist Igor Matsokin, who warned that early signs of dementia can appear many years before a formal medical diagnosis. Matsokin identified rapid memory deterioration as one of the key early indicators of cognitive decline.
