Publications by authors named "Thomas Gossard"

Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) and its links to neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on gender differences and younger adults, which are less explored compared to older males.
  • - Researchers followed 372 participants (186 women and 186 men with iRBD), finding that women were diagnosed at a younger age than men and that over 12% converted to a neurodegenerative disorder within roughly 6 years.
  • - Key findings indicate that older age at diagnosis is a significant factor for phenoconversion risk, with lower risk observed in those using antidepressants or having chronic pain, while higher risk was noted in individuals with vascular issues.
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Study Objectives: Accurate diagnosis of isolated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is crucial due to its injury potential and neurological prognosis. We aimed to analyze visual and automated REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) diagnostic thresholds applicable in varying clinical presentations in a contemporary cohort of patients with iRBD using submentalis (SM) and individual bilateral flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and anterior tibialis electromyography limb recordings during polysomnography.

Methods: We analyzed RSWA in 20 patients with iRBD and 20 age-, REM-, apnea-hypopnea index-matched controls between 2017 and 2022 for phasic burst durations, density of phasic, tonic, and "any" muscle activity (number of 3-second mini-epochs containing phasic or tonic muscle activity divided by the total number of REM sleep 3-second mini-epochs), and automated Ferri REM atonia index (RAI).

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to analyze sleep disturbances in six patients diagnosed with DPPX autoimmunity syndrome, using polysomnography and other diagnostic assessments to understand their conditions better.
  • - The patients, averaging 57 years old, exhibited notable gastrointestinal symptoms and various neuropsychiatric issues like cognitive impairment and myoclonus, alongside sleep issues such as insomnia and sleep apnea.
  • - Results indicated that five out of six patients improved neurologically with immunotherapy, suggesting that DPPX autoimmunity should be explored further, especially in cases displaying a mix of sleep problems and gastrointestinal distress.
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Background: Isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a potentially injurious parasomnia lacking an established treatment. Ulotaront is a trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonist with 5-HT receptor agonist activity that has demonstrated efficacy in patients with schizophrenia. In a single dose challenge study in humans, ulotaront 50 mg demonstrated significant REM suppressant effects.

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Study Objectives: Isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) carries a high lifetime risk for phenoconversion to a defined neurodegenerative disease (NDD) including Parkinson disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. We aimed to examine iRBD patient values and preferences regarding prognostic counseling.

Methods: One hundred thirteen iRBD patient participants enrolled in the Mayo Clinic iRBD Patient Registry were sent an email survey concerning their values and preferences concerning NDD prognostic counseling and their experiences following diagnosis with iRBD.

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Study Objectives: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) share some common features including prominent nightmares and sleep disturbances. We aimed to comparatively analyze REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) between patients with chronic PTSD with and without dream enactment behavior (DEB), isolated RBD (iRBD), and controls.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we comparatively analyzed 18 PTSD with DEB (PTSD+DEB), 18 PTSD without DEB, 15 iRBD, and 51 controls matched for age and sex.

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Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by an uncomfortable urge to move the legs while at rest, relief upon movement or getting up to walk, and worsened symptom severity at night. RLS may be primary (idiopathic) or secondary to pregnancy or a variety of systemic disorders, especially iron deficiency, and chronic renal insufficiency. Genetic predisposition with a family history is common.

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Objectives/background: Most middle-aged and older adult patients with isolated (idiopathic) REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) eventually develop parkinsonism, dementia with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy. We aimed to describe the current sleep medicine specialist approach toward RBD prognostic counseling, and to determine physician beliefs and characteristics that impact provision of counseling.

Patients/methods: We surveyed 70 sleep medicine physicians with RBD expertise for demographic information, counseling practices, and their beliefs and understandings concerning the association between RBD and synucleinopathies, among other questions.

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Background: Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) occurs occasionally in essential tremor (ET), but polysomnographic REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) analyses have been sparse.

Objective: To characterize the amount and distribution of polysomnographic RSWA, the electrophysiologic substrate of RBD, in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and ET.

Methods: We analyzed quantitative RSWA in 73 patients: PD (23), ET (23), and age-sex-matched controls (27).

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Study Objectives: We examined the performance of a simple algorithm to accurately distinguish cases of diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and noncases using the electronic health record (EHR) across six health systems in the United States.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of EHR data was performed. The algorithm defined cases as individuals with ≥ 2 instances of specific International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and/or ICD-10 diagnostic codes (327.

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Study Objectives: Values for normative REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) remain unclear. Older age and male sex are associated with greater RSWA, and isolated elevated RSWA has been reported. We aimed to describe normative RSWA and characterize isolated RSWA frequency in adults without REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD).

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