Role of Slow Waves in the Progression of Neurodegeneration in Isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Parkinson Disease, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD)

In brief

This study tests whether enhancing deep sleep with gentle sounds at night can slow progression in people with iRBD or early Parkinson's disease. Participants wear a sensor headband and headphones for 18 months. Four assessments including mobility, memory, imaging (PET/MRI), lumbar puncture, and blood tests are assessed.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07355842

Run by

University of Zurich

People needed

80

Starts

2026-01-15

Expected to finish

2029-06-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-17

Who can join

Age: any. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Signed informed consent
• Diagnosis of polysomnography-confirmed isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD) based on international criteria (ICSD-3), combined with EITHER
• UPDRS III without action tremor ≥ 4 AND abnormal olfaction, OR
• diagnosis of PD along international criteria for less than 2 years
• Further inclusion criteria are:
• no dopaminergic treatment and no foreseen start of such treatment during duration of the study
• ability to apply the intervention, alone or with help of a co-habitant, stable living situation
• sufficient language skills in German, French or Italian
• negative pregnancy test for women of child-bearing potential

You may not qualify if…

• Suspected or known non-compliance to other therapies
• current or recent participation in another clinical trial
• extended absences
• hearing impairment that prevents hearing the tones for auditory stimulation
• non-responder to auditory stimulation during screening
• clinically significant concomitant disease or unstable condition
• Apnea-Hypopnea-Index (AHI) > 15/h or under Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment
• Restless Legs Syndrome
• meeting criteria for diagnosis of atypical Parkinson syndrome
• diagnosis of Dementia or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) < 24
• severe Depression or other psychiatric disorder
• regular use of benzodiazepines and other central nervous system depressant substances
• current or recent history within the last year of substance abuse disorders or chronic alcohol consumption
• recent or planned major surgery
• history of allergies and hypersensitivity relevant for electrode application or medication allergies
• additional exclusion criteria for PET imaging
• any criterion that may pose the participant at risk
• breastfeeding, intention to become pregnant, or unwillingness to use medically reliable contraception for women of child-bearing potential

Where it is running

• University Hospital Zurich, Neurology Department — Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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