EEG sleep alterations in olivopontocerebellar degeneration

All-night polygraphic recordings of the electroencephalogram, horizontal electrooculogram, and submental electromyogram were performed in two patients with familial olivopontocerebellar degeneration. Sleep was characterized by subnormal measurements of both rapid eye movement (REM) and delta (slow-wave) sleep. Phasic eye movements were reduced out of proportion to tonic components of REM sleep. These findings lend further support to theories linking the pontine nuclei to the primary regulation of sleep in both experimental animals and humans.