The MDS Research Criteria for Prodromal PD allow the diagnosis of prodromal Parkinson's disease using an evidence‐based conceptual framework, which was designed to be updated as new evidence becomes available. New prospective evidence of predictive values of risk and prodromal markers published since 2015 was reviewed and integrated into the criteria. Many of the predictive values (likelihood ratios, LR) remain unchanged. The positive likelihood ratio notably increase for olfactory loss and decreased for substantia nigra hyperechogenicity. Negative likelihood ratio remained largely unchanged for all markers. New levels of diagnostic certainty for neurogenic and symptomatic orthostatic hypotension have been added, which substantially differ in positive likelihood ratio from the original publication. For intermediate strength genetic variants, their age‐related penetrance is now incorporated in the calculation of the positive likelihood ratio. Moreover, apart from prospective studies, evidence from cross‐sectional case‐control genome‐wide association studies is also considered (given their likely lack of confounding and reverse causation), and to account for the effect of multiple low‐penetrance genetic variants polygenic risk scores are added to the model. Diabetes, global cognitive deficit, physical inactivity, and low plasma urate levels in men enter the criteria as new markers. A web‐based prodromal PD risk calculator allows the calculation of probabilities of prodromal PD for individuals. Several promising candidate markers may improve the diagnostic accuracy of prodromal PD in the future. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Parkinson’s disease has a long prodromal stage with various subclinical motor and non-motor manifestations; however, their evolution in the years before Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed is unclear. We traced the evolution of early motor and non-motor manifestations of synucleinopathy from the stage of idiopathic rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder until defined neurodegenerative disease. During 2004–16, we recruited and then annually followed 154 polysomnography-proven patients with idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder, of whom 55 phenoconverted to defined parkinsonism or dementia. Longitudinal data on multiple prodromal features, including the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale parts I–III, quantitative motor tests, olfaction, colour vision, cognition, and autonomic functions were gathered annually (average = five follow-up visits, range: 2–12 years). The same measures were also assessed in 102 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. By looking backward from the time of dementia or parkinsonism diagnosis, we examined trajectories of each prodromal feature using mixed effect models. Based on analysis, olfactory loss was first to develop, with predicted onset >20 years before phenoconversion. This was followed by impaired colour vision, constipation, and erectile dysfunction, starting 10–16 years prior to phenoconversion. At 7–9 years before phenoconversion, slight urinary dysfunction and subtle cognitive decline could be detected. Among motor symptoms altered handwriting, turning in bed, walking, salivation, speech, and facial expression began to be disrupted starting 7–11 years prior to parkinsonism diagnosis, but remained mild until soon before phenoconversion. Motor examination abnormalities began 5–7 years before phenoconversion, with the alternate tap test having the longest interval (8 years before phenoconversion). Among cardinal motor phenotypes, bradykinesia appeared first, ∼5–6 years prior to phenoconversion, followed by rigidity (Year −3) and tremor (Year −2). With direct prospective evaluation of an idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder cohort during phenoconversion, we documented an evolution of prodromal manifestations similar to that predicted by pathological staging models, with predicted prodromal intervals as long as 20 years.

Objective Isolated (or idiopathic) rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is associated with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Biomarkers are lacking to predict conversion to a dementia or a motor‐first phenotype. Here, we aimed at identifying a brain‐clinical signature that predicts dementia in iRBD. Methods A brain‐clinical signature was identified in 48 patients with polysomnography‐confirmed iRBD using partial least squares between brain deformation and 27 clinical variables. The resulting variable was applied to 78 patients with iRBD followed longitudinally to predict conversion to a synucleinopathy, specifically DLB. The deformation scores from patients with iRBD were compared with 207 patients with PD, DLB, or prodromal DLB to assess if scores were higher in DLB compared to PD. Results One latent variable explained 31% of the brain‐clinical covariance in iRBD, combining cortical and subcortical deformation and subarachnoid/ventricular expansion to cognitive and motor variables. The deformation score of this signature predicted conversion to a synucleinopathy in iRBD (p = 0.036, odds ratio [OR] = 2.249; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.053–4.803), specifically to DLB (OR = 4.754; 95% CI = 1.283–17.618, p = 0.020) and not PD (p = 0.286). Patients with iRBD who developed dementia had scores similar to clinical and prodromal patients with DLB but higher scores compared with patients with PD. The deformation score also predicted cognitive performance over 1, 2, and 4 years in patients with PD. Interpretation We identified a brain‐clinical signature that predicts conversion in iRBD to more severe/dementing forms of synucleinopathy. This pattern may serve as a new biomarker to optimize patient care, target risk reduction strategies, and administer neuroprotective trials. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:341–357

ObjectiveTo assess sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and clinical correlates of idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in a 30,097-person national cohort.MethodsParticipants 45 to 85 years of age in Canada were collected as part of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Possible RBD (pRBD) was screened with the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Single-Question Screen, a questionnaire with 94% specificity and 87% sensitivity. To improve diagnostic accuracy, those screening positive for apnea or non-REM parasomnia (young-onset pRBD) and those self-reporting dementia or Parkinson disease were excluded. A series of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and mental health variables were analyzed cross-sectionally. Potential correlates were assessed via multivariable logistic regression.ResultsOf 30,097 participants, 958 (3.2%) were identified as having pRBD. Male sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.78–2.44) and lower education (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.98) were associated with pRBD. Participants with pRBD had smoked more (pack-years OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.01) and were more likely to be moderate to heavy drinkers (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.04–1.51). There was a strong association between pRBD and self-reported antidepressant treatment for depression (OR 2.77, 95% CI 2.23–3.45), psychological distress (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.44–1.80), mental illness (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.75–2.49), and posttraumatic stress disorder (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.97–3.65).ConclusionsOur study replicated previous reported associations between pRBD and smoking, low education, and male sex and found previously unreported links with alcohol use and psychological distress. Risk factors for pRBD differ from those previously defined for neurodegenerative synucleinopathies.