Low Levels of Adenosine and GDNF Are Potential Risk Factors for Parkinson’s Disease with Sleep Disorders

Sleep disturbances are the most prevalent non-motor symptoms in the preclinical stage of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Adenosine, glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and associated neurotransmitters are crucial in the control of sleep arousal. This study aimed to detect the serum levels of adenosine, GDNF, and associated neurotransmitters and explored their correlations with PD with sleep disorders. Demographic characteristics and clinical information of PD patients and healthy participants were assessed. Serum concentrations of adenosine, GDNF, and related neurotransmitters were detected by ELISA and LC-MS. The correlation between serum levels of adenosine, GDNF, and associated neurotransmitters and sleep disorders was explored using logistic regression. PD patients with sleep disorders had higher scores of HAMA, HAMD, ESS, UPDRS-III, and H-Y stage. Lower levels of adenosine, GDNF, and γ-GABA were observed in PD patients who had sleep problems. Logistic regression analysis showed adenosine and GDNF were protective factors for preventing sleep disorders. Adenosine combined with GDNF had a higher diagnostic efficiency in predicting PD with sleep disorders by ROC analysis. This study revealed low adenosine and GDNF levels may be risk factors for sleep disorders in PD. The decrease of serum adenosine and GDNF levels may contribute to the diagnosis of PD with sleep disturbances.