Citation

Himemiya-Hakucho A, Fujimiya T. Acta Med. Okayama 2021; 75(2): 255-259.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Okayama University Medical School)

DOI

10.18926/AMO/61910

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Alcohol has been identified as a potential precipitating factor for parasomnia, particularly sleepwalking (SW). We report an unusual case of a Japanese drunk driver who may have experienced alcohol-related SW, based on the statements of the suspect, pharmacokinetic analyses of the suspect's breath alcohol concentration, testimonies of witnesses, driving recorder data, and medical records. The existence of sleep-related criminal acts performed while a suspect experiences memory loss under the influence of alcohol has not been sufficiently recognized, and awareness of such acts should be raised among the police, public prosecutors, and the general public in Japan.

Language: en

Keywords

blood alcohol concentration; amnesia; drunk driving; parasomnia; sleepwalking