Injurious REM sleep behaviour disorder in narcolepsy with cataplexy contributing to criminal proceedings and divorce
Francesca Ingravallo1, Carlos H Schenck, Giuseppe Plazzi
1Department of Medicine and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Italy.
Abstract:
We present a case of violent sleep-related behaviour in a patient with narcolepsy with cataplexy (NC) and REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD), causing injuries to his wife that resulted in charge of assault, followed by a divorce case. This observation pinpoints that RBD in NC can arise early in a patient's life and that it can be violent, that pharmacological treatment for RBD has to be considered in this case, that lack (or delay) of RBD diagnoses may further exacerbate the psychosocial burden of NC, and that a general awareness of the nature of sleep related violence may avoid unfortunate legal and personal consequences for patients, their partners and families.
Related Concept Videos
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Narcolepsy
Sleep-Wake Cycles
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...

