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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares often...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Measuring Psoriasis Severity at Home
02:28

Measuring Psoriasis Severity at Home

Published on: March 1, 2024

Sleep disturbances in psoriasis.

Brandon G Shutty1, Cameron West, Karen E Huang

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermatology Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA.

Dermatology Online Journal
|February 5, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Psoriasis patients experience more sleep disturbances and itching. However, these sleep issues may stem from depression rather than psoriasis directly.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Measuring Psoriasis Severity at Home
02:28

Measuring Psoriasis Severity at Home

Published on: March 1, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Psoriasis significantly impacts patient quality of life, including sleep.
  • The specific factors contributing to sleep disturbances in psoriasis patients are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate sleep quality in individuals diagnosed with psoriasis.
  • To investigate the relationship between psoriasis, itch, insomnia, and sleepiness.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 35 chronic plaque psoriasis patients (affecting ≥10% BSA) and 44 controls were assessed.
  • Standardized questionnaires included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Patient Health Questionnaire, Itch Severity Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

Main Results:

  • Psoriasis patients exhibited significantly higher itch severity compared to controls (p<0.0001).
  • Initially, psoriasis patients had increased odds of higher insomnia scores (OR 4.3; p=0.01) and a trend towards poor sleep (p=0.04).
  • After adjusting for depression, age, BMI, and gender, the increased likelihood of insomnia and poor sleep in psoriasis patients was no longer statistically significant (p>0.20).

Conclusions:

  • Patients with psoriasis report more sleep disturbances and pruritus.
  • Sleep disturbances in psoriasis may be more closely linked to comorbid depression than a direct effect of the skin condition.