Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026

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
Making the diagnosis: idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder
1School of Nursing, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA. taublm@umdnj.edu
Purpose:
To present a clinical case of idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), differential diagnoses, selected treatments, and the pathology involved.
Data Sources:
An Ovid data base search (covering 635 medical, neurologic, and psychiatric journals) was conducted using the search term RBD and limited to the years 2005-2009. This search strategy was used to locate clinical, research, and review articles providing the state of the science about RBD. A hand search was also conducted for seminal research papers as well as recent publications within the specialty of sleep disorders.
Conclusions:
RBD is a parasomnia with symptoms common to other disorders making it important to identify unique symptoms and diagnostic testing that helps differentiates these diseases. RBD can put the patient and the bed partner at risk for injury. Its prevalence is estimated to be 0.5% in older adults.
Implications For Practice:
Nurse practitioners are primary care providers for older adults who may have complaints about behaviors associated with RBD. Knowledge of this disease process as well as its relationship with four other neurodegenerative diseases may provide an opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment of RBD and surveillance for and early diagnosis of the other neurodegenerative diseases in these patients.
Related Concept Videos
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Sleep-Wake Cycles
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Narcolepsy
Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors
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...
Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...
Management of Insomnia

