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

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

1.7K
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...
1.7K
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

454
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,...
454
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

942
Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
942
Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

1.5K
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...
1.5K
Understanding Sleep01:11

Understanding Sleep

1.6K
Sleep, an essential biological state, involves significant reductions in physical activity, sensory awareness, and interaction with the environment. This complex physiological process is primarily regulated by specific brain regions, notably the hypothalamus and pons, which govern the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
1.6K
Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

581
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
581

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

The Prodromal Synucleinopathy Rating Scale: An Assessment in Patients With REM Sleep Behavior Disorder.

Neurology·2026
Same author

Characterization of patients with isolated REM sleep behavior disorder and cerebrospinal fluid α-synuclein negativity.

NPJ Parkinson's disease·2026
Same author

Prognostic Determinants of Presentation and Outcome in Anti-IgLON5 Disease.

Neurology(R) neuroimmunology & neuroinflammation·2026
Same author

Genetic associations between post-traumatic stress disorder and REM-sleep behavior disorder.

NPJ Parkinson's disease·2026
Same author

Machine learning to diagnose, classify and predict phenoconversion in isolated REM sleep behavior disorder.

Sleep medicine reviews·2026
Same author

Clinical, behavioral, and physiological characteristics of isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder patients with ambulatory dream enactment behaviors.

Sleep medicine·2026
Same journal

Accidental hypothermia.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026
Same journal

Accidental hypothermia.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026
Same journal

Primary aldosteronism.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026
Same journal

Primary aldosteronism.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026
Same journal

Buruli ulcer in Africa: between innovation and pragmatism.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026
Same journal

Author Correction: Atopic dermatitis.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
04:33

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression

Published on: April 26, 2024

1.5K

REM sleep behaviour disorder.

Yves Dauvilliers1,2, Carlos H Schenck3, Ronald B Postuma4

  • 1Centre National de Référence Narcolepsie Hypersomnies, Unité des Troubles du Sommeil, Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Gui-de-Chauliac Montpellier, Montpellier, France. ydauvilliers@yahoo.fr.

Nature Reviews. Disease Primers
|September 1, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) involves acting out dreams due to lost muscle paralysis during REM sleep. It is linked to neurodegenerative diseases and may benefit from future neuroprotective therapies.

More Related Videos

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice
08:45

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice

Published on: January 25, 2016

25.3K
Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms ECoGs and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture
09:06

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms ECoGs and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture

Published on: December 22, 2016

10.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
04:33

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression

Published on: April 26, 2024

1.5K
Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice
08:45

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice

Published on: January 25, 2016

25.3K
Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms ECoGs and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture
09:06

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms ECoGs and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture

Published on: December 22, 2016

10.1K

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis during REM sleep (REM sleep without atonia, RSWA).
  • RBD involves abnormal behaviors during sleep, often dream enactments, which can lead to injury.
  • RBD is classified as idiopathic or symptomatic, with symptomatic RBD linked to certain medications or neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease and narcolepsy type 1.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define the characteristics, diagnosis, and management of REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD).
  • To highlight the association between RBD and α-synucleinopathies.
  • To discuss the future implications of understanding RBD as an early manifestation of neurodegeneration.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical history assessment for dream enactment or complex motor behaviors.
  • Confirmation of REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) via video polysomnography.
  • Review of current management strategies and etiological associations.

Main Results:

  • A definitive RBD diagnosis requires a history of dream enactment and polysomnographic confirmation of RSWA.
  • RBD is increasingly recognized as a prodromal sign of α-synucleinopathies, with most idiopathic RBD cases progressing to overt neurodegenerative syndromes.
  • Current management focuses on symptom control with medications like clonazepam and melatonin, alongside behavioral counseling.

Conclusions:

  • REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a significant clinical manifestation linked to underlying α-synucleinopathies.
  • Idiopathic RBD in older adults often precedes the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Future research will likely focus on neuroprotective strategies for idiopathic RBD to prevent or delay neurodegeneration.