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Related Concept Videos

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

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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...
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Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

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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:
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Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking01:17

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

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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...
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Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

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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.
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Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

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Sleep progresses through distinct stages, each characterized by specific brain wave patterns and physiological responses ranging from wakefulness to stages of non-rapid eye movement, known as non-REM, to rapid eye movement, referred to as REM. Understanding these stages helps in recognizing how sleep supports various bodily and cognitive functions.
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
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Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors01:27

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors

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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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 1, 2026

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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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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REM sleep Behaviour Disorder.

Luigi Ferini-Strambi1, Fabrizio Rinaldi2, Enrico Giora1

  • 1Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology-Sleep Disorder Center, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20127, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Faculty of Psychology, Milan, Italy.

Parkinsonism & Related Disorders
|October 3, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD) involves acting out dreams due to lost muscle paralysis during REM sleep. Emerging evidence suggests RBD may be an early sign of neurodegenerative diseases, not idiopathic.

Keywords:
Neurodegenerative disordersNeurophysiologyRBDSleepTreatment

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia marked by the absence of muscle paralysis during REM sleep, leading to dream enactment.
  • Clinically, RBD presents as violent nocturnal behaviors, identified via polysomnography showing muscle activity during REM sleep.
  • While often termed idiopathic in the absence of neurological signs, a significant number of RBD patients later develop neurodegenerative diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate early markers of neurodegenerative dysfunction in patients with REM sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD).
  • To challenge the notion of idiopathic RBD by exploring potential links to underlying neurodegenerative processes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical, neurophysiologic, and neuropsychological studies.
  • Analysis of polysomnography findings, including electromyography.
  • Examination of neuroimaging and neurocognitive assessments in RBD patients.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests impaired cortical activity and subtle neurocognitive deficits in RBD patients.
  • Olfactory and autonomic impairments are frequently observed.
  • Neuroimaging studies reveal brain changes consistent with early neurodegeneration.

Conclusions:

  • Findings challenge the concept of idiopathic RBD, suggesting it may be an early manifestation of neurodegenerative conditions.
  • RBD warrants further investigation as a potential prodromal marker for diseases like Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia.
  • Early detection of neurodegenerative markers in RBD is crucial for timely intervention and management.