Monocyte markers correlate with immune and neuronal brain changes in REM sleep behavior disorder
Kristine Farmen, Sara Konstantin Nissen, Morten Gersel Stokholm, Álex Iranzo, Karen Østergaard, Mónica Serradell, Marit Otto, Kristina B. Svendsen, Alícia Garrido, Dolores Vilas, Per Borghammer, Joan Santamaría, Arne Møller, Carles Gaig, David J. Brooks, Eduardo Tolosa, Nicola Pavese, Marina Romero‐Ramos
Abstract
Significance This study shows that the myeloid immune response in isolated rapid-eye-movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) patients involves both brain and periphery, and that these responses are related, supporting a cross-talk between the brain and the peripheral immune system. Furthermore, these immune events were correlated with dopaminergic neuronal changes, strongly supporting a role for the immune system in the neuronal process associated with iRBD and putatively with Parkinson’s disease. These findings support monocytes as biomarkers and potential targets. Future studies should address possible association between monocytic changes and disease progression in longitudinal cohorts and the use of monocytes as accessible prognostic markers of brain events in synucleinopathies.