Citation

Avidan AY, Kaplish N. Clin. Chest Med. 2010; 31(2): 353-370.

Affiliation

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. avidan@mednet.ucla.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ccm.2010.02.015

PMID

20488293

Abstract

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.

Language: en