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A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice
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Sleep and violence.

Maria Livia Fantini1, Monica Puligheddu, Alessandro Cicolin

  • 1Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Ospedale San Giovanni Battista - Molinette, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Torino, Italy, fantini.marialivia@libero.it.

Current Treatment Options in Neurology
|August 10, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Treating violent sleep behaviors requires identifying the cause. While clonazepam is often used for parasomnias, alternatives like melatonin or hypnosis exist, with antiepileptic drugs for nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Violent behaviors during sleep necessitate accurate diagnosis of the underlying disorder.
  • Identifying and addressing precipitating factors is crucial before treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current treatment strategies for violent sleep behaviors.
  • To highlight pharmacological and non-pharmacological options for parasomnias and related disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on the management of parasomnias and nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.
  • Discussion of pharmacological agents, including benzodiazepines, melatonin, pramipexole, and antiepileptic drugs.
  • Consideration of non-pharmacological interventions such as hypnosis.

Main Results:

  • Clonazepam is a common choice for Non-REM and REM parasomnias, despite lack of specific approval and placebo trials.
  • Benzodiazepines may have side effects and lead to tolerance, especially in the elderly.
  • Alternative treatments include melatonin and pramipexole for REM sleep behavior disorder, and antiepileptic drugs for nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.
  • Surgical options exist for refractory nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.
  • Evidence is primarily based on case series and reports.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate diagnosis is paramount for effective treatment of violent sleep behaviors.
  • Pharmacological interventions are often necessary, but non-pharmacological options should be considered.
  • Further research, including placebo-controlled trials, is needed to establish definitive treatment guidelines.