HLA class II genes associated with REM sleep behavior disorder

Twenty-five white men with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, but without narcolepsy, underwent HLA class II antigen typing; 84% (N = 21) were DQw1 (DQB1*05,06) positive (28% [N = 7] were DR2 positive); DQB1*0501 (N = 9) and DQB1*0602 (N = 7) were the most common phenotypes. The 84% DQw1 rate in men with REM sleep behavior disorder was significantly greater (p = 0.015) than the 56% DQw1 rate found in a local white comparison group (N = 66), and was greater than the 39 to 66% DQw1 rates published for 12 white groups (N = 40-418/group). Thus, another disorder of REM sleep dysregulation (besides narcolepsy) appears to be strongly associated with specific HLA class II genes.