Citation

Stieglitz S, Heppner HJ, Netzer N. Z. Gerontol. 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Vernacular Title

Abnorme Geschehnisse im Schlaf: Parasomnien.

Affiliation

Hermann Buhl Institute for Hypoxia and Sleep Medicine Research, Bad Aibling, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00391-020-01714-5

PMID

32140765

Abstract

Parasomnias are characterized by abnormal experiences, dreams, movements and behavior during sleep. They may occur in the middle of the sleep during REM (rapid eye movement) or NREM (non-rapid eye movement), during falling asleep or waking up. Characteristically for REM behavior disorder is an increased muscle tone although usually REM is defined by an absence of muscle tone. For these forms aggressive dreams may lead to violating bed partners or self-injury of the sleeping person. Even killing bed partners has been described. Many of the patients develop a kind of Parkinson's disease (synucleinopathies). The rate of phenoconversion is more than 30% in 5 years and nearly 100% after 15 years. There are several recommendations regarding a safe sleeping environment. Medicinal treatment consists of either melatonin or clonazepam.

Language: en

Keywords

Parkinson’s disease; REM sleep without atonia; Rapid eye movement; Sleep behavior disorder; Sleep paralysis