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

180
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...
180
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

1.3K
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:
1.3K
Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

184
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...
184
Understanding Sleep01:11

Understanding Sleep

227
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...
227
Neural Regulation01:37

Neural Regulation

39.4K
Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
39.4K
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

139
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...
139

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
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

Presynaptic dopaminergic imaging as a neurodegeneration staging biomarker in the alpha-synucleinopathy continuum.

European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging·2026
Same author

Differential Progression of Neuroinflammation in Patients with Isolated Rapid-Eye-Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder.

Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society·2026
Same author

Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder with Clinical Dementia with Lewy Bodies Phenotype but Lacking Postmortem Central Nervous System Synuclein Pathology: Alternate Etiologies.

Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2025

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling
03:46

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Published on: October 11, 2018

10.1K

REM sleep and neurodegeneration.

Laura Pérez-Carbonell1, Alex Iranzo2

  • 1Sleep Disorders Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London, London, UK.

Journal of Sleep Research
|June 13, 2024
PubMed
Summary

REM sleep disorders, like REM sleep behaviour disorder, are linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing these conditions and potential memory impairments.

Keywords:
Alzheimer's diseaseParkinson's diseaseneurodegenerationrapid eye movement sleeprapid eye movement sleep behaviour disordersynucleinopathy

More Related Videos

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

11.9K
Electrocorticographic Recording of Cerebral Cortex Areas Manipulated Using an Adeno-Associated Virus Targeting Cofilin in Mice
08:44

Electrocorticographic Recording of Cerebral Cortex Areas Manipulated Using an Adeno-Associated Virus Targeting Cofilin in Mice

Published on: February 21, 2021

4.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 24, 2025

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling
03:46

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Published on: October 11, 2018

10.1K
Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

11.9K
Electrocorticographic Recording of Cerebral Cortex Areas Manipulated Using an Adeno-Associated Virus Targeting Cofilin in Mice
08:44

Electrocorticographic Recording of Cerebral Cortex Areas Manipulated Using an Adeno-Associated Virus Targeting Cofilin in Mice

Published on: February 21, 2021

4.3K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep involves complex brainstem, subcortical, and cortical networks.
  • Alterations in these neural structures due to neurodegeneration can manifest as REM sleep anomalies.
  • REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is characterized by dream-enacting behaviors and increased muscle activity during REM sleep.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the connection between REM sleep anomalies and neurodegenerative processes.
  • To highlight the significance of isolated REM sleep behavior disorder as an early indicator of synucleinopathies.
  • To discuss the potential role of REM sleep alterations in Alzheimer's disease and other conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on REM sleep generation and its neurobiological underpinnings.
  • Analysis of the clinical manifestations and pathological associations of REM sleep behavior disorder.
  • Examination of the proposed role of REM sleep in memory consolidation and its disruption in neurodegenerative diseases.

Main Results:

  • Isolated REM sleep behavior disorder often precedes synucleinopathies like Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.
  • REM sleep alterations may also occur in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder, those on antidepressants, or with a history of head injury.
  • Disrupted REM sleep is implicated in the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a role in memory impairment.

Conclusions:

  • REM sleep anomalies, particularly isolated REM sleep behavior disorder, serve as critical early warning signs for neurodegenerative synucleinopathies.
  • Neuroprotective strategies are recommended for individuals exhibiting these REM sleep disturbances.
  • Further research into the REM sleep-memory connection is warranted, especially in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.