The Parasomnias: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Diagnostic Approach - 05/08/11

Doi : 10.1016/j.ccm.2010.02.015

Alon Y. Avidan, MD, MPH ^a,^⁎ , Neeraj Kaplish, MD ^b
^a Department of Neurology, UCLA Neurology Clinic, Sleep Disorders Center, University of California Los Angels, 710 Westwood Boulevard, Room 1-169/RNRC, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1769, USA
^b Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, SPC 5845, C 732, Med Inn Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5845, USA

Corresponding author.

Résumé

Parasomnias are a group of disorders exclusive to sleep and wake-to-sleep transition that encompass arousals with abnormal motor, behavioral, or sensory experiences. Sensory experiences often involve but are not limited to perceptions, dreamlike hallucinatory experiences, and autonomic symptoms. When accompanied with excessive motoric activity and other complex motor behaviors, these parasomnnias can be disruptive to the patient and bed partners. Motor behaviors may or may not be restricted to bed but can become dangerous when the subject ambulates or is agitated. The behaviors are inappropriate for the time of occurrence but may seem purposeful or goal directed. Most parasomnias are more common in children and decrease in frequency as they get older. Parasomnias have been reported in approximately 4% of the adult population.

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Keywords : Parasomnias, Confusional arousals, Sleepwalking, Night terrors, Nightmares, RBD and sleep paralysis