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Related Concept Videos

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.
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:
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.
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
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...

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REM sleep behavior disorder and narcolepsy.

Michel Billiard1

  • 1Gui de Chauliac Hospital, Department of Neurology, Montpellier, France. mbilliard@wanadoo.fr

CNS & Neurological Disorders Drug Targets
|August 20, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) affects 10-15% of narcolepsy patients, often with earlier onset. Altered hypocretin pathways are implicated, though treatments lack specific trials for narcolepsy-associated RBD.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Parasomnias

Background:

  • Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a recognized parasomnia.
  • RBD was first described in humans in 1985 and in narcoleptic patients in 1992.
  • The pathophysiology of RBD, especially when associated with narcolepsy, is thought to involve hypocretin pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical features, pathophysiology, and management of RBD in narcoleptic patients.
  • To highlight the prevalence and specific characteristics of RBD in the narcolepsy population.
  • To discuss current treatment options and the need for further research.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on RBD and narcolepsy.
  • Analysis of clinical features, polysomnographic findings, and associated conditions.
  • Examination of available treatment strategies and research data.

Main Results:

  • RBD occurs in 10-15% of narcoleptic patients, typically with an earlier age of onset than other forms of RBD.
  • Clinical presentation is similar to other RBD forms, but episodes may be less frequent.
  • Polysomnography shows elevated submental electromyographic (EMG) tone and/or excessive EMG twitching.

Conclusions:

  • Altered hypocretin pathways likely play a role in narcolepsy-associated RBD.
  • Limited data exists on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) association and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypocretin/orexin levels.
  • While treatments like clonazepam, melatonin, and pramipexole are available, specific trials for RBD in narcoleptic patients are lacking, necessitating reliance on conventional RBD treatments.