Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

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...

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep-Wake Cycles

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:

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors

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...

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

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...

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy

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.

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and Night Terrors

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

EEG Neurofeedback for Attention and Executive Functions in Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review of Treatment Studies.

Journal of clinical medicine·2026

Same author

Nucleus-specific thalamic involvement in seizure networks differentiates neuromodulation outcomes.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026

Same author

Large Muscle Movements During Sleep Across the Synucleinopathy Spectrum: A Polysomnographic Study of Isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and Parkinson's Disease.

Sleep·2026

Same author

Complementary predictive value of electromagnetic source imaging and hemodynamic responses in epilepsy surgery: A quantitative spatial analysis.

Epilepsia·2026

Same author

Polygenic risk scores in neurological disorders: restless legs syndrome as a translational model.

Medizinische Genetik : Mitteilungsblatt des Berufsverbandes Medizinische Genetik e.V·2026

Same author

Protocol for the DREAMER study: Design and methodological framework of a multicenter trial-ready cohort of individuals with isolated REM sleep without atonia.

PloS one·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System

Published on: October 20, 2023

Sleep Related Movement Disorders: What's New and Changing Clinical Practice.

Ambra Stefani¹, Qi Tang¹, Stefan Clemens²

¹Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.

Journal of Sleep Research

|October 3, 2025

Summary

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), a common sleep disorder, is explored with new insights into its causes and treatments. This review covers RLS pathophysiology, augmentation, and emerging genetic drug targets for better clinical practice.

Keywords:

RLS RSDLMM large muscle group movements restless legs syndrome restless sleep disorder

More Related Videos

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice

Published on: September 22, 2020

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System

Published on: October 20, 2023

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice

Published on: September 22, 2020

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

Area of Science:

Neurology
Sleep Medicine
Genetics

Background:

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a prevalent sensorimotor disorder, affecting up to 15% of the European and US population.
It is the most common sleep-related movement disorder, significantly impacting patient quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

To review key aspects of RLS, emphasizing novel data impacting clinical practice.
To discuss recent insights into RLS pathophysiology, motor activity during sleep, and treatment implications.
To explore augmentation issues and new treatment paradigms, including genetic drug targets.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent studies on RLS and related sleep-related movement disorders.
Analysis of novel data concerning pathophysiology, motor activity, and treatment strategies.
Discussion of genetic findings and their potential for new drug development.

Main Results:

Novel insights into RLS pathophysiology and sleep motor activity are presented.
The phenomenon of augmentation in RLS treatment is critically discussed.
New treatment paradigms and potential genetic drug targets are identified.

Conclusions:

Recent advancements in understanding RLS and related disorders are changing clinical practice.
Emerging genetic targets offer promise for future RLS therapies.
This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in sleep-related movement disorders.