Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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.
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:
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...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The Genetic Causes of Auditory Neuropathy: A Systematic Review.

Journal of clinical medicine·2026
Same author

Superior gluteal vein entrapment: targeted surgical decompression for aberrant anatomy.

Fertility and sterility·2026
Same author

Respiratory insufficiency and sleep impairment in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Neuromuscular disorders : NMD·2026
Same author

Bi-allelic variants in NDUFA5 cause a mitochondriopathy with complex I deficiency.

American journal of human genetics·2026
Same author

Metabolic Stroke: Atypical Presentation of Succinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency.

JIMD reports·2026
Same author

Osteopathic manipulative treatment for refractory chronic traumatic pain and mobility restrictions at a level 1 trauma center.

Journal of osteopathic medicine·2025

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
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

Families with sleepwalking.

Michelle Cao1, Christian Guilleminault

  • 1Stanford Sleep Medicine Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. michellecao2007@gmail.com

Sleep Medicine
|July 6, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Familial sleepwalking may be linked to inherited traits that increase the risk for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Treating SDB in individuals with sleepwalking and parasomnias led to significant improvements.

More Related Videos

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults
07:40

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults

Published on: January 26, 2019

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling
03:46

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Published on: October 11, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last 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
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

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults
07:40

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults

Published on: January 26, 2019

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling
03:46

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Published on: October 11, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Sleep Medicine
  • Genetics
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Studies on familial sleepwalking are rare, yet crucial for understanding chronic sleepwalking phenotypes.
  • Sleepwalking often occurs with sleep terrors, and family history can provide valuable insights.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the familial occurrence of sleepwalking and its association with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).
  • To explore potential genetic links and risk factors contributing to chronic sleepwalking.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated 51 individuals with chronic sleepwalking over 5 years, focusing on 7 families with a history of sleepwalking.
  • Collected data from 50 family members through questionnaires and clinical evaluations, including nocturnal sleep recordings.
  • Identified 34 cases of sleepwalking among family members and assessed for sleep-disordered breathing and craniofacial risk factors.

Main Results:

  • A multi-generational history of sleepwalking was present in all 7 families studied.
  • 33 clinically evaluated subjects showed evidence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), often with craniofacial abnormalities.
  • A complete overlap was observed between parasomnias and the presence of SDB; treating SDB improved parasomnia symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Familial sleepwalking is associated with inherited traits that are risk factors for SDB.
  • These risk factors, present from birth, can cause sleep disruption and NREM sleep instability.
  • The study posits that factors leading to chronic sleep disruption may underlie familial sleepwalking.