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NREM sleep instability in children with sleep terrors: the role of slow wave activity interruptions

Oliviero Bruni1, Raffaele Ferri, Luana Novelli

  • 1Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders, Department of Developmental Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Rome La Sapienza, Via dei Sabelli 108, 00185 Rome, Italy. oliviero.bruni@uniroma1.it

Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
|March 4, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Children with sleep terrors (ST) exhibit increased NREM sleep instability, specifically faster EEG alternations during slow-wave sleep (SWS). This cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) variation may serve as a neurophysiological marker for arousal disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Sleep terrors (ST) are common pediatric parasomnias.
  • The cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) reflects NREM sleep instability.
  • NREM sleep instability in ST is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare NREM sleep instability using CAP in children with ST versus controls.
  • To identify potential neurophysiological markers for ST.

Main Methods:

  • 10 boys with ST and 11 age-matched controls underwent polysomnography.
  • Sleep macrostructure and CAP were visually scored.
  • CAP parameters, including A1 index and phase durations in SWS, were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Children with ST had more awakenings and lower sleep efficiency.
  • ST subjects showed increased total CAP rate and A1 index in SWS.
  • Faster CAP alternations (shorter intervals) were observed in SWS for ST patients.

Conclusions:

  • Children with ST demonstrate abnormal EEG amplitude alternations during SWS.
  • This instability, marked by CAP, may be a neurophysiological marker for ST and other arousal disorders.
Abstract

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