The Home-Based Sleep Laboratory

Sleep disturbances are prevalent in neurodegenerative diseases in general, and in Parkinson’s disease (PD) in particular. Recent evidence points to the clinical value of sleep in disease progression and improving quality of life. Therefore, monitoring sleep quality in an ongoing manner at the convenience of one’s home has the potential to improve clinical research and to contribute to significantly better personalized treatment. Further, precise mapping of sleep patterns of each patient can contribute to a better understanding of the disease, its progression and the appropriate medical treatment. Here we review selective, state-of-the-art, home-based devices for assessing sleep and sleep related disorders. We highlight the large potential as well as the main challenges. In particular, we discuss medical validity, standardization and regulatory concerns that currently impede widespread clinical adoption of existing devices. Finally, we propose a roadmap with the technological and scientific steps that are required to impact PD research and treatment.