Parasomnias in movement disorders: a narrative review

Parasomnias are sleep disorders characterized by unusual and often distressing behaviors or experiences that occur during sleep or the transition between wakefulness and sleep. These disorders can arise in both non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stages. REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is the most common and most studied parasomnia in movement disorders, especially among synucleinopathies. Numerous researches on RBD have established its clinical significance. Other parasomnias are less frequently reported in movement disorders, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions about their coexistence. Additionally, exploding head syndrome has not yet been documented in any movement disorders. This review summarizes current research on parasomnias, their association with movement disorders, and emphasizes the importance of increased awareness to improve diagnosis, management, and patient outcomes.