SLEEP DISTURBANCE IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE: THE ROLE OF IMMUNE MECHANISMS
Introduction. Cytokines and cortisol are involved in the implementation of complex functions of the central nervous system and have an important influence on the development of neurodegenerative diseases and sleep-wake rhythm disturbances. Objectives. To determine the correlation between the levels of IL-1β, IL-10, as well as cortisol in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with the value of sleep disturbances in Parkinson’s disease (PD), assessed by means of scales: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Material and methods. 31 patients (males (M): females (F) = 0,94: 1; their age (median) was 66 years [58, 72]) of the main group (MG) and 8 persons of the control group (CG, (M: F = 3: 1, their age (median) was 60 years [58, 75])) were studied. The differences between the MG and the CG in age were not statistically significant (p=0,85). The investigation was approved by the ethical committees concerned. The use of diagnostic methods was carried out in accordance with the regulations of Helsinki Declaration of 1975. The collection of biological specimens (blood and CSF) was performed in the first half of the day.The evaluation of sleep disturbances was carried out in the morning after the intake of antiparkinsonian drugs. Nonparametric methods of statistics were used. Results. A wide prevalence of sleep disorders in people with PD was confirmed. The differences between the MG and the CG were statistically significant (p≤0,05) by the ESS and PSQI scales. In the MG, statistically significant differences between subgroups F and M were obtained only by the PSQI scale (p=0,027). Statistically significant correlations between the value of daytime sleepiness and IL-10 levels in CSF (r=-0,48; p=0,02), and cortisol levels in serum (r=-0,45; p=0,03) were detected for individuals of the MG. Conclusions. Neuroinflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of sleep disorders in PD. There is the prospect for further research in this direction.