2026-11-02T06:01:01
(BPT) –
Key takeaways
- Some people physically act out their dreams. They may punch, kick or yell while asleep. This condition is called REM sleep behavior disorder or RBD.
- RBD may be an early warning sign of Parkinson’s disease.
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Parkinson’s Precision Medicine Initiative (PPMI) is studying people with RBD to better understand Parkinson’s disease.
- Participating in research can help advance earlier diagnosis, better treatments and future prevention strategies.
Have you ever been told that you talk, shout, punch or kick while dreaming? Don’t dismiss these nighttime behaviors as unusual sleep habits. They may be a sign of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a condition that researchers have discovered may provide important clues about future brain health, including Parkinson’s disease.
What is REM sleep behavior disorder?
Normally, when we dream, our brain prevents our muscles from moving. However, for people with RBD, these brain signals don’t work properly. Instead of staying still, they begin to physically act out their dream.
People with RBD often have very active dreams in which they’re playing sports, running, being chased or attacked. In response to these vivid dreams, people can kick, punch, yell, sit up or even get out of bed — all while asleep.
For Art Gregoire, 74, of Palm Springs, California, acting out his dreams became a frightening reality when he dove out of bed during a vivid dream and suffered a concussion. “I knew at that moment my life was going to change,” Gregoire said. “It was a pivotal moment, and I needed to find out what was going on.” That experience ultimately led him to PPMI, where he learned he also had reduced sense of smell — another early Parkinson’s risk factor.
“Participating in PPMI has meant I’m not sitting at home waiting and worrying about what might happen in the future. Instead, I’ve chosen to take a proactive path. Knowing that I’m helping researchers better understand Parkinson’s disease gives me hope — not just for my own future, but for everyone who may one day face this journey.”
How is RBD connected to Parkinson’s?
Not everyone with RBD develops Parkinson’s disease. That said, RBD is a risk factor for Parkinson’s and other brain diseases. This sleep disorder is often one of the earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s, appearing years before the movement symptoms commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers are particularly interested in people with RBD because studying this community may help uncover the earliest biological changes associated with Parkinson’s disease years before movement symptoms begin. That’s why The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research encourages people experiencing RBD symptoms to consider participating in studies such as the Parkinson’s Precision Medicine Initiative (PPMI).
What is the PPMI study?
PPMI is a landmark study sponsored by The Michael J. Fox Foundation that aims to better understand and measure Parkinson’s disease, including its earliest stages before movement symptoms begin.
Remember, every volunteer contributes valuable information that helps move research forward.
Why should I participate in the PPMI study?
PPMI researchers are actively seeking people who have been diagnosed with RBD, as well as those who regularly act out their dreams during sleep. By participating in this study, volunteers can help scientists learn more about who develops Parkinson’s disease, who doesn’t and why. The study may also provide valuable insights into the biology and experience of RBD.
The thought that your sleep habits may point toward a Parkinson’s diagnosis may seem scary, but participating in a study can be a rewarding and empowering experience. After his RBD diagnosis, Gregoire found hope by participating in the PPMI study at the University of California, San Diego.
How can I participate in the PPMI study?
Remember, every volunteer contributes valuable information that helps move research forward.
“Learning that you may be at increased risk for Parkinson’s disease can feel overwhelming. But while we don’t have all the answers, research gives people a meaningful way to turn uncertainty into action,” said Rachel Dolhun, MD, DipABLM, double-board-certified neurologist, lifestyle medicine physician, fellowship-trained movement disorder specialist and principal medical advisor at The Michael J. Fox Foundation. “By participating in studies like PPMI, people with REM sleep behavior disorder can play a vital role in helping researchers better understand the earliest changes associated with Parkinson’s disease. Every person who joins brings us closer to earlier interventions, better treatments and, ultimately, ways to prevent the disease before symptoms begin.”
To learn more about Parkinson’s research opportunities and whether you may be eligible to participate in the PPMI study, visit MichaelJFox.org/Sleep.
Participation may include online questionnaires, health assessments and, for some volunteers, opportunities to participate at research sites near their homes.
