Does Sleep Apnea Lead to Parkinson’s Disease?

Update on RLS 2026 Part 1

Since our last podcast on restless legs 2 years ago, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published new clinical guidelines and the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation has revised their management algorithm.  These three podcasts update us on the changes in treatment of this common and distressing condition.  In the first podcast, we discuss iron and gabapentin opioid therapy.

Does Sleep Apnea Lead to Parkinson’s Disease?

A recent article suggested that obstructive sleep apnea was a possible risk factor for Parkinson's disease.  In this podcast, we discuss this important study and its implications, as well as the more general assessment of increasingly available similar studies based on large population data bases.

The Weird World of Sleep in Autoimmune Encephalopathies: Part 2

Autoimmune encephalopathies, although rare, can mimic other more common sleep disorders and most are highly treatable.  Therefore it is important for sleep medicine practitioners to be aware of these conditions, which may present first to a sleep clinic.  This podcast describes how these disorders may present with important insights for sleep specialists.

The Weird World of Sleep in Autoimmune Encephalopathies: Part 1

Autoimmune encephalopathies, although rare, can mimic other more common sleep disorders and most are highly treatable.  Therefore it is important for sleep medicine practitioners to be aware of these conditions, which may present first to a sleep clinic.  This podcast describes how these disorders may present with important insights for sleep specialists.

Sleep and Epilepsy

Epileptic seizures, especially in certain epileptic syndromes, are more common during sleep.  Conversely, seizures can disturb sleep, affecting daytime alertness.  Nocturnal seizures may also mimic the parasomnias that are more familiar to sleep medicine practitioners.  This podcast discusses practical aspects of these relationships.