REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder

Idiopathic Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder (iRBD) is a condition where with no other explanation, otherwise healthy people start acting out their dreams. Research has demonstrated that many people with iRBD will go on to develop Parkinson’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia or Multiple System Atrophy making it the best target group of patients for future treatments designed at slowing disease progression.

Our research team, based at the Brain and Mind Centre (BMC) seeks to improve quality of life and find novel treatments through a range of different approaches including the development of blood test biomarkers, brain imaging, brain wave recordings and measures of sleep disruption. By enhancing our knowledge, we aim to improve the lives of those affected by these devastating conditions.

Prof Simon Lewis is an NHMRC Leadership Fellow who has committed to work studying patients who have developed idiopathic REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder, which is the strongest predictor of Parkinson's Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. In his role as a Chief Investigator on the CogSleep, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence: Optimise Sleep in Brain Ageing and Neurodegeneration, Simon is also committed to researching poor sleep in these conditions.

  • Clinical, sleep and neuroimaging biomarkers of progression along the Lewy body disorder continuum – Elie Matar - PhD

Meet our Research Group

Professor Simon Lewis

Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, USyd

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurophysiology
  • Clinical Trials

Elie Matar

 

PhD Student

Clinical, sleep and neuroimaging biomarkers of progression along the Lewy body disorder continuum

Supervisors: Prof. Glenda Halliday, Prof. Simon Lewis

Years: 2019-22