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Related Concept Videos

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

Sleep progresses through distinct stages, each characterized by specific brain wave patterns and physiological responses ranging from wakefulness to stages of non-rapid eye movement, known as non-REM, to rapid eye movement, referred to as REM. Understanding these stages helps in recognizing how sleep supports various bodily and cognitive functions.
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking01:17

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

Somnambulism, commonly known as sleepwalking, involves individuals engaging in activities ranging from simple walking to more complex behaviors such as driving. Sleepwalking typically occurs during the slow-wave sleep stages 3 and 4 early in the night when the person is not dreaming, contradicting the myth that sleepwalkers are acting out their dreams.
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Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors01:27

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations. These sensations typically occur during periods of rest or inactivity, particularly when lying down or sitting, and can severely disrupt sleep.
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice
10:56

Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice

Published on: August 2, 2017

Rhythmic movements in idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder.

Raffaele Manni1, Michele Terzaghi

  • 1Unit of Sleep Medicine and Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, IRCCS C. Mondino, Pavia, Italy. raffaele.manni@mondino.it

Movement Disorders : Official Journal of the Movement Disorder Society
|June 21, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Two patients with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) exhibited head-rolling during sleep episodes. This suggests a potential link between RBD motor control pathways and early-life rhythmic movement generation.

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Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice
10:56

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Published on: August 2, 2017

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice
06:23

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice

Published on: September 22, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is characterized by the loss of muscle atonia during REM sleep.
  • Rhythmic Movement Disorder (RMD) during sleep is common in infancy and childhood.

Observation:

  • Two cases of head-rolling during REM Sleep Behavior Disorder episodes were captured via video-polysomnography (PSG).
  • The patients had idiopathic RBD and no prior history of Rhythmic Movement Disorder.

Findings:

  • Head-rolling during RBD episodes suggests a potential activation of Central Pattern Generators (CPGs).
  • This activation may link REM-sleep motor control pathways to the re-emergence of primitive motor behaviors.

Implications:

  • This finding offers new insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying RBD.
  • It may explain the occurrence of complex motor behaviors in adult sleep disorders.
  • Further research could explore the role of CPGs in other REM sleep disorders.