Risk factors

Factors associated with the development of REM sleep behavior disorder include:

• Being male and over 50 years old — however, more women are now being diagnosed with the disorder, especially under age 50, and young adults and children can develop the disorder, usually in association with narcolepsy, antidepressant use or brain tumors
• Having a certain type of neurodegenerative disorder, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, stroke or dementia with Lewy bodies
• Having narcolepsy, a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness
• Taking certain medications, especially newer antidepressants, or the use or withdrawal of drugs or alcohol

Recent evidence suggests that there may also be several specific environmental or personal risk factors for REM sleep behavior disorder, including occupational pesticide exposure, farming, smoking or a previous head injury.