[Clinical and polysomnographic features of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder]

To evaluate the clinical and polysomnographic features of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in Chinese patients.

Six parasomnic patients, 4 males and 2 females, with the mean onset age of 58 years (range 50 approximately 66 years) and 6 age and sex matched controls, were video-monitored for successive two nights, to record the electroencephalography, electrooculography, electromyography, electrocardiography and nasal airflow.

Polysomnographic recordings disclosed an augmented muscle tone, which appeared intermittently or continuously in REM sleep, accompanied by complex behaviors correlated to dream contents observed by video-monitoring, and without seizure activity. All the 6 patients presented with a long history of parasomnia. The average total-sleep time of the patients was 353 +/- 42 minutes, the stage II sleep time was 139 +/- 76 minutes, and sleep efficiency was 74.3% +/- 12.3% lower compared with that of the controls. Pakinsonism occurred in 1 patient 9 years after parasomnia and dementia in 2 patients 8 and 18 years respectively after symptom of RBD. Clonazepam was administered for parasomnia in 3 cases with a favorable response.

REM sleep without atonia is demonstrated in association with violent movements by video-monitored polysomnography in 6 Chinese patients.