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Related Concept Videos

Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

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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...
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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
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 29, 2025

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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Nightmare Disorder and Isolated Sleep Paralysis.

Ambra Stefani1, Birgit Högl2

  • 1Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.

Neurotherapeutics : the Journal of the American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics
|November 24, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Nightmare disorder and sleep paralysis are REM parasomnias causing distress. Imagery rehearsal therapy is effective for nightmares, while avoiding sleep disruption aids sleep paralysis.

Keywords:
DreamREM muscle atoniaREM sleepREM sleep behavior disorder.parasomniapolysomnography

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Nightmare disorder and recurrent isolated sleep paralysis are distressing REM parasomnias.
  • Nightmare disorder is linked to hyperarousal, impaired fear extinction, and emotion regulation.
  • Sleep paralysis involves REM atonia persistence into wakefulness, sometimes with hallucinations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the understanding of nightmare disorder and recurrent isolated sleep paralysis.
  • To discuss the underlying mechanisms and predisposing factors.
  • To highlight effective treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of REM parasomnias.
  • Analysis of etiological factors.
  • Evaluation of therapeutic interventions.

Main Results:

  • Nightmare disorder is associated with psychiatric conditions and PTSD; imagery rehearsal therapy is effective.
  • Sleep paralysis affects a significant portion of the population and can involve vivid hallucinations.
  • Circadian rhythm gene variations and sleep disruptions like deprivation and jetlag may contribute to pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Non-pharmacological treatments, particularly imagery rehearsal therapy, are effective for nightmare disorder.
  • Managing sleep hygiene and avoiding predisposing factors are key for isolated sleep paralysis.
  • Further research into genetic and neurobiological underpinnings is warranted.