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Published on: October 2, 2019
Non-rapid eye movement sleep parasomnias
Mark W Mahowald1, Carlos H Schenck
1Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA. mahow002@umn.edu
Neurologic Clinics
|October 26, 2005
Summary
Parasomnias are sleep disorders involving unusual behaviors or experiences during sleep. These conditions are now understood to stem from various causes, not typically psychiatric disorders, and are classified by origin.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Parasomnias were previously considered a single group of phenomena linked to psychiatric disorders.
- Current understanding recognizes parasomnias as diverse events, generally unrelated to psychiatric conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the classification and understanding of parasomnias.
- To differentiate primary and secondary parasomnias.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of existing literature on parasomnias.
- Categorization based on sleep state of origin (REM, NREM, miscellaneous) for primary parasomnias.
- Classification based on involved organ systems for secondary parasomnias.
Main Results:
- Parasomnias are distinct phenomena, not unitary.
- Primary parasomnias are categorized by sleep stage: REM sleep, NREM sleep, or miscellaneous.
- Secondary parasomnias are classified by the organ system involved.
Conclusions:
- Parasomnias represent a spectrum of sleep disorders with diverse etiologies.
- A clear classification system distinguishes primary (sleep state disorders) and secondary (organ system disorders) parasomnias.
- This classification aids in understanding and managing these sleep phenomena.
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