The Parasomnias and Sleep Related Movement Disorders—A Look Back at Six Decades of Scientific Studies

Abstract

The objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive personal survey of all the major parasomnias with coverage of their clinical presentation, investigation, physiopathogenesis and treatment. These include the four major members of the slow-wave sleep arousal parasomnias which are enuresis nocturna (bedwetting), somnambulism (sleepwalking), sleep terrors (pavor nocturnus in children, incubus attacks in adults) and confusional arousals (sleep drunkenness). Other parasomnias covered are sleep-related aggression, hypnagogic and hypnopompic terrifying hallucinations, REM sleep terrifying dreams, nocturnal anxiety attacks, sleep paralysis, sleep talking (somniloquy), sexsomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), nocturnal paroxysmal dystonia, sleep starts (hypnic jerks), jactatio capitis nocturna (head and total body rocking), periodic limb movement disorder (PLMs), hypnagogic foot tremor, restless leg syndrome (Ekbom syndrome), exploding head syndrome, excessive fragmentary myoclonus, nocturnal cramps, and sleep-related epileptic seizures. There is interest in the possibility of relationships between sleep/wake states and creativity.

Sleep–wake disorders.

“…For example, parasomnias (e.g., sleepwalking, night terrors, and nightmares) have historically been classified as mental disorders, based on outdated and incorrect assumptions about their etiology. These conditions are now understood to be largely biologically determined, including a substantial genetic component (Baldini et al, 2021;Broughton, 2022;Schredl, 2021). Moreover, the ICD-11 also allows for the specification of several important sleep-related conditions that were previously classified as "unspecified," including REM sleep behavior disorder and periodic limb movement disorder.…”