A new American study has concluded that men who experience issues such as sleepwalking may be more susceptible to Parkinson's disease. Among nearly 26,000 men, researchers from Penn State University found that those who sleepwalk or suffer from sleep disorders are four times more likely to develop Parkinson's compared to others.
Lead researcher Dr. Xiang Gao stated that individuals who sleepwalk may exhibit sudden movements of the arms or legs, which could be a possible indication of neurological damage in the brain and may serve as a sign of Parkinson's disease.
Gao added, "It's important to recognize that many who sleepwalk or have a sleep behavioral disorder do not have Parkinson's disease. Therefore, sleepwalking does not necessarily indicate a Parkinson's diagnosis."
During the study, Gao and his colleagues collected data from nearly 26,000 men with an average age of 76. The results showed that less than 1% of them reported sleepwalking, and about 1% were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
After considering factors such as age, smoking, caffeine consumption, chronic illnesses, and other sleep disorders, researchers determined that sleepwalking is linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease, as reported by UPI.
