Neurological Aspects of Sleep

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    NEUROLOGICAL ASPECTS OF

    SLEEP

    Maria Leticia C. Araullo, MD, FPNA

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    Sleep Basics

    Sleep: a reversible physiological state of

    decreased perception of and responsiveness

    to external stimuli Function ofSleep (proposed theories)

    1) Body repair

    2) Brain restoration

    3) Thermoregulation and energy conservation

    4) Maintenance of immunocompetence

    5) Memory consolidation and learning

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    Sleep basics

    Effects of age Duration of sleep

    Newborn 16-12 hours

    Child 10-12 hours

    10 years old 9-10 hours Adolescent 7-7.5 hours

    Adult 6.5 hours

    Pattern of sleep Circadian rhythm appears

    after first few weeks postpartum

    By the 4th-5th year, sleep isconsolidated into a singlenocturnal period

    Fragmentation of sleeppattern begins in adult life

    Night awakenings tend toincrease in frequency;daytime period tends to beinterrupted by episodicsleep and longer naps

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    Sleep physiology

    Sleep-wakefulness control mechanisms areexerted by specific neuronal groups of brainstem

    ARAS

    Pedunculopontine nucleus (cholinergic)

    Laterodorsal tegmental nuclei (cholinergic)

    Locus ceruleus (noradrenergic)

    Raphe nuclei (serotonorgic) ARAS project to intralaminar thalamic nuclei,

    posterior hypothalamus, basal forebrain

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    Additional neurotransmitters involved in sleep-wake regulation Histamine (tuberomamillary nucleus): promotes

    arousal and wakefulness Dopamine (ventral tegmental area): promotes

    wakefulness Hypocretin (dorsolateral hypothalamus): promotes

    arousal

    Other sleep-promoting neurochemicals: GABA(ventrolateral preoptic area), galanin, adenosine,cytokines, prostagalndin D2, delta sleep-inducingpeptide, muramyl peptides, growth hormone-releasing factor, cortistatin, opioid peptides

    Sleep physiology

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    Sleep Physiology

    EEG

    Awake Posterior dominant 8-13 Hz alpha rhythm

    Stage I Disappearance of alpha rhythm, occasional vertex waves and

    positive occipital sharp transients (POS

    Ts)Stage II Sleep spindles, K complexes, vertex waves, POSTs

    Stage III

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    Eye movements EMG Additional Features

    Awake Rapid, saccadic tonic

    Stage I Slow-roving lateral, may

    be present before loss ofalpha rhythm

    tonic 5% of nocturnal sleep

    Low arousal thresholdSleep is not always perceived

    Stage II None tonic 45-55% of nocturnal sleep;increased arousal threshold

    Stage III None tonic 3-8% of nocturnal sleep

    q cerebral metabolic rateHigh arousal threshold

    Stage IV None Tonic 10-15% of nocturnal sleep

    q cerebral metabolic rateHigh arousal threshold

    REM Rapid, abrupt, high

    amplitude, conjugate eyemovements

    Phasic,

    hypotonic,or atonic(except

    diaphragmand EOM)

    20-25% of nocturnal sleep

    Mainly second half of nightHigh level of cerebralmetabolism

    Dreaming most prominentPenile tumescence

    Irregular respiratory and heart

    rate

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    Normal sleep

    4-6 cycles of NREM followed by REM

    Cycle duration: 90 min

    NREM consists of stages I-IV

    NREM gets progressively deeper andarousal threshold increased from stage I to

    IV

    Stage I is typically followed sequentially by

    stages II, III, and IV and again stage IIbefore REM

    Throughout the night:

    SWSperiods shorten

    REM sleep periods lengthen

    Most NREM sleep occurs during the firsthalf and REM sleep in the second half ofthe night

    Sleep physiology

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    Sleep Physiology

    Structures needed for NREM sleep

    Basal forebrain

    Anterior hypothalamus-preoptic region Midline brainstem

    Dorsolateral medullary reticular formation

    Structures needed for REM sleep

    Dorsolateral pons

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    Circadian rhythms

    Biological rhythms that repeat q24 hours Suprachiasmatic nucleus in the ventral anterior

    hypothalamus ( circadian pacemaker) projects toareas of the brain involved in sleep-wake regulation:

    basal forebrain, thalamus, hypothalamus, pineal gland Regulating factors

    Circadian clock genes determine internal circadianrhythmicity

    Light is the most effective stimulus for the internalclock via the retinohypothalamic tract

    Other stimuli: food, exercise, activity, hormones,social cues

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    Approach to Diagnosis

    History

    Complaints of

    I cannot get enough sleep Im sleepy during the day or I fall asleep all the

    time

    There is some unusual sleep behavior

    An observer should be encouraged to attend theinitial interview

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    Approach to Diagnosis

    Questions to ask: sleep habits usual hours of sleep

    sleep problems current medications

    other medical problems Weight gain

    Alcohol intake

    Conditions under whichsleep occur Dietary stimulants

    Activities other than thosepertaining to sleep or sexthat take place while inbed (eating, writing)

    Occurrence or history ofvarious abnormal sleepbehaviors (enuresis, sleepwalking)

    Occurrence of other

    relevant symptoms (sleepparalysis, cataplexy,hypnagogic hallucinations,early morning headache,loud snoring, difficultybreathing at night)

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    Approach to Diagnosis

    Physical exam:

    Weight

    Vital signs Neurological examination

    Auscultaion of the heart

    Inspection of nasal and oral airways

    Presence of redundant tissue, tonsillarhypertrophy, micrognathia, malocclusion,erythema of soft palate and posterior pharynx

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    Approach to Diagnosis

    Laboratory exam

    Plasma electrolytes

    Renal and hepatic function Complete blood count

    Endocrine function

    Thyroid function texts should be obtained in all

    patients with sleep apnea Rheumatological disease

    Infectious disease

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    Approach to Diagnosis

    Sleep laboratory testing Polysomnography

    evaluates sleep characteristics and disorders

    Incorporates EEG, surface EMG, and respiratory parameters

    Multiple sleep latency testing

    Performed after PSG to detect mean sleep latency and sleeponset REM periods during 4-5 daytime nap opportunities at 2hour intervals

    Maintenance of wakefulness testing 4 nap studies at 2 hour intervals lasting 20 minutes, terminated

    with sleep onset

    Actigraphy

    Estimates a persons circadian rhythm

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    Diagnosis and Classification

    Dyssomnias disorders which cause either excessive sleepiness or an

    inability to initiate or maintain sleep

    narcolepsy, OSA, restless legs syndrome,

    psychophysiological insomnia

    Parasomanias

    disorders intruding into the sleep process that appear tobe related to difficulties with partial arousal

    Sleepwalking, sleep terrors, REM sleep behavior disorder,

    sleep paralysis

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    Diagnosis and Classification

    Medical/PsychiatricSleep Disorders

    Associated with mental disorders, associated withneurological disorders (parkinsonism, sleep relatedepilepsy) or with other medical disorders (sleeprelated asthma, sleep related gastroesophageal reflux)

    P

    roposedS

    leep Disorders Sleep related laryngospasm, short sleeper, long

    sleeper

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    SLEEP DISORDERS

    Sleep-related breathing disorders

    Hypersomnias of central origin

    Insomnia Sleep related movement disorder

    Circadian rhythm disorder

    Parasomnias Sleep disorders associated with neurological

    conditions

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    Sleep-related breathing disorders

    Sleep apnea syndromes

    ObstructiveSleep apnea

    Recurrent partial or complete upper airwayobstruction resulting in decreased (hypopnea) orabsent (apnea) airflow in setting of increased

    respiratory effort

    Assd w/ desaturation, repeated arousals, sleep

    fragmentation

    Risk factors: Obesity, narrow upper airway,

    retrognathia, macroglossia, enlarged tonsils,craniofacial malformations

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    Obstructive sleep apnea

    Associated features: hypertension, arrhythmias,cardiovascular disease, CHF, possible stroke, type II

    DM

    Treatment: weight loss, avoidance of alcohol &sedatives, CPAP, surgery

    Sleep-related breathing disorders

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    Central sleep apnea Primary

    recurrent episodes of diminished airflow without upper airwayobstruction

    Absence of respiratory effort during apnea/hypopnea

    Etiology is unknown

    Pathophysiology:

    heightened ventilatory response to CO2 leads to instability ofrespiratory control during wake-sleep transition and may persist intoNREM sleep; typically ceases in REM

    CO2 levels tend to be lower, thus a small increase in ventilation leads toapnea

    May be seen in neurologic disorders with associated ANSdysfunction (MSA, Parkinson)

    Treatment: oxygen, positive airway pressure therapy

    Sleep-related breathing disorders

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    Mixed apnea

    initial cessation of both airflow and effort (centralapnea), followed several seconds later by the

    appearance of effort without airflow (obstructiveapnea)

    Sleep-related breathing disorders

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    Other disorders1) Cheyne Stokes respiration

    2) High altitude periodic breathing

    3) CSA due to drug/substance (opioids)

    4) Sleep related hypoventilation/hypoxemic syndromes

    Sleep related non obstructive alveolar hypoventilation

    Congenital central alveolar hypoventilation

    Secondary forms assd with morbid obesity,neuromuscular disorders, chest wall restriction, highspinal cord or brainstem lesions, lower airwayobstruction, pulmonary parenchymal or vascularidiopathic disorders

    Sleep-related breathing disorders

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    Disorders of excessive sleepiness

    Medications

    Acute medical illness of themononucleosis type

    Post surgical andpostantesthetic states

    Chronic neurologicdiseases: MS, dementia

    Depression

    Metabolic derangements:hypothyroidism, Addisondisease

    Encephalitic desases:following viral encephalitis,trypanosomiasis,encephalitis lethargica

    Lesions of thehypothalamus KleineLevin syndrome,hypothalamic tumor or

    granuloma Sleep apnea syndromes

    Narcolepsy-cataplexy

    Idopathic hypersomnia

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    Narcolepsy Gradual onset between 15-35

    Classic tetrad:

    excessive daytime sleepiness usually 1st symptom

    Cataplexy most specific symptom

    hypnogogic/hypnopompic hallucinations

    sleep paralysis

    Proposed 5th symptoms: disturbed nocturnal sleep

    Proposed disease mechanism: destruction ofhypocretin secreting cells in posterolateralthalamus

    Hypersomnias of central origin

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    Narcolepsy Symptomatic narcolepsy occurs with HPA

    abnormalities: tumors, vascular malformations,

    sarcoidosis, head injury, after cranial irradiation Treatment:

    Regular sleep wake schedule

    Scheduled naps

    Avoidance of sleep deprivation

    Avoid sedentary work environment

    Stimulants, modafinil to improve alertness

    TCA/SSRI for cataplexy, sleep paralysis (suppress REMsleep)

    Hypersomnias of central origin

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    Idiopathic hypersomnia

    Severe excessive daytime sleepiness w/ or without

    long nocturnal sleep episodes without evidence ofcataplexy lasting more than 6 months with notother causes of sleepiness by history or PSG

    Naps typically not refreshing

    Onset in adolescence, early adulthood

    Pathophysiology unknown

    Hypersomnias of central origin

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    Recurrent hypersomnia (Kline LevinSyndrome)

    Recurrent episodes of hypersomolence with transientcognitive, mood, or behavioral disturbance ;

    hyperphagia; hypersexuality

    Each episode lasts 1-2 weeks, followed by return tonormal cognitive and psychosocial function for severalweeks or months

    Usually affects teenage boys Pathophysiology: unclear; likely involves

    hypothalamic dysfunction, autoimmune

    No proven therapy; lithium may prevent recurrence

    Hypersomnias of central origin

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    Insomnia

    Chronic inability to sleep despite adequate

    opportunity to do so

    Used popularly to indicate any impairment inthe duration, depth or restorative propertiesof sleep

    Divided in 3 categories

    Sleep onset insomnia

    Sleep maintenance insomnia

    Early morning awakening without return to sleep

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    Insomnia

    Insomniacs tend to underestimate actual time theyspend asleep

    In addition to difficulty initiating/maintaining sleep:

    Nonrestorative sleep, light sleep, short sleep Impaired cognition, attention, mood, daytime functioning

    Fatigue and reduced motivation

    Excessive daytime sleepiness

    Social dysfunction

    Headaches, GI distress, anxiety over sleep loss

    Assd features: often influenced by environmental factorsand/or psychological disturbance esp stress, anxiety,depression, drug dependence, or other mental illness

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    Primary insomnias (states of hyperarousal) Idiopathic

    with onset in early childhood

    lifelong condition

    Pathophysiology: abnormal sleep-wake regulation,organic hyperarousal state

    Paradoxical insomnia (sleep-state misperception)

    Subjective complaint of insomnia in which patientmisperceives the amount of time spent asleep

    No PSG evidence of sleep disturbance; objectivelynormal sleep duration

    Insomnia

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    Pyschophysiologic Patient does not associate bedroom/bedtime with sleep

    usually as a learned behavior that prevent sleep fromoccurring. Frustration and anxiety develop from inability to

    sleep leading to states of increased arousal and tensionthat prevent sleep, thereby perpetuating the insomnia

    Can develop from transient or chr0nic insomnia of anycause

    Patient usually sleep better in a different environment thantheir own bedroom

    Treatment: sleep hygiene behavioral therapy relaxation therapy, sleep restriction,

    stimulus control therapy hypnotics

    Insomnia

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    Insomnia

    Behavioral insomnia - due to learned behaviors orvoluntary actions inconsistent with sleep

    Sleep onset association disorder

    Child falls asleep only under certain conditions rocking chair, inparents bed

    Limit setting sleep disorder

    Child refuses to go to bed when asked to

    Inadequate sleep hygiene

    Caffeine intake, exercise, TV in bed, frequent daytime naps

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    INSOMNIA

    Secondary insomnia

    Environmental factors

    Psychological factors Abnormal shift schedule

    Circadian rhythm disorders

    Medications

    Medical conditions Psychiatric disorders

    Primary neurologic diseases: fatal familial insomnia,Morvans fibrillary chorea

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    INSOMNIA

    Fatal Familial insomnia Begins with difficulty initiating sleep and leads to severe

    complete insomnia within months Progression to coma/death within 2 years

    Other symptoms: ataxia, tremor, myoclonus, dystonic posturing,pyramidal signs, cognitive changes, sympathetic nervous systemhyperactivity, episodic stupor

    Epidemiology: prion disease Autosomal dominant

    Onset 5th

    -6th

    decade PSG: noSWS, decreased stage II NREM sleep, dissociated REM

    sleep without muscle atonia Autopsy: anterior and dorsomedial thalamic nuclei atrophy with

    neuronal loss and reactive gliosis Treatment: barbiturates, benzodizepines may induce EEG sleep

    pattern

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    INSOMNIA

    Morvans fibrillary chorea Severe insomnia, fluctuating encephalopathy, peripheral

    nerve hyperexcitability, weakness, cramping,neuromyotonia, dysautonomia

    Pathophysiology: unknown, possible autoimmunemechanism or paraneoplastic phenomenon (assd w/myasthenia, malignancy; positive antibodies to voltagegated potassium channels_

    PSG: no NREM sleep features (K complexes, spindle waves,delta waves) subwakefulness state characterized by EEGtheta activity associated with behavioral sleep, brief REMsleep periods without atonia

    EMG: spontaneous repetitive discharge (doublets, triplets,multiplets, myokymia)

    Labs: increased plasma norepinephrine level

    Treatment: plasma exchange, immunemodulating agents, thymectomy

    opioids

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    Rules of sleep hygiene for

    patients

    Sleep only as long as needed to feel refreshed thenext day. Avoid excessively long times in bed

    Maintain a regular arousal time in the morning in

    order to establish a constant circadian sleep pattern Maintain a steady daily amount of exercise

    Eliminate noise in the bedroom environment

    Keep the bedroom temperature comfortable. Avoid

    a sleeping environment that is too warm Use the bedroom for sleep only. Do not perform

    other activities in the bed, such as writing letters oreating

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    Rules of sleep hygiene for

    patients Do not go to bed hungry

    Avoid the frequent use of sleeping pills

    Avoid caffeine in the evening, even if you think it doesnot disturb sleep

    Do not use alcohol as a sedative. It facilitates the onset ofsleep but later acts as a stimulant

    Avoid the frequent use of tobacco

    If you feel upset because you cannot sleep, get up, turnon the light and do something else

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    Restless Legs Syndrome

    Complaints of unusual and severe leg sensations; reliefgained by walking, rubbing legs, applying heat; most

    prominent in evening and nightime, resulting in sleeponset and sleep maintenance insomnia

    Hallmark is the irresistible urge to move the legs torelieve discomfort

    Arms may be involved Pathophysiology: cerebral iron and dopamine

    pathways have been implicated

    Sleep Related Movement Disorder

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    Primary restless leg syndrome Positive family history of similar symptoms, including

    adolescent growing pains Autosomaldominant inheritance

    Onset: childhood, adolescence Secondary restless leg syndrome

    Assd w/ pregnancy, peripheral neuropathy, chronic renalfailure, iron deficiency anemia, latent iron deficiency, folatedeficiency

    Linked to several medications: antidepressants, neuroleptics,

    dopamine agonists, sedating antihistamines Treatment: dopaminergic agonists, gabapentin,

    benzodiazepines, low potency opioids, ironreplacement therapy if serum ferritin

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    Sleep Related Movement Disorder

    Periodic Leg Movement Disorder Repetitive stereotyped movements that cause

    repeated arousals from sleep, each resembling a

    Babinski reflex response usually during NREM sleep

    Clinical significance is debated Often seen with restless leg syndrome, RBD,

    narcolepsy

    Pathophysiology

    Decreased brain iron and dopaminergic pathways have beenimplicated

    Low serum ferritin level

    Treatment: dopamine agonists

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    Rhythmic movement disorder Stereotyped, repetitive, rhythmic movements of body

    parts, usually of head, neck, trunk that occur before sleeponset and persist into light sleep or occur only during sleep

    Movements include head banging, head rolling, bodyrocking

    Considered a disorder only if it interferes with sleep, resultsin daytime sleepiness, or leads to injury

    Seen mostly in infants and young children, also mentallyhandicapped children; typically resolves by 2-3 years butmay persist into adulthood

    Treatment: benzodiazepines, antidepressants if necessary

    Sleep Related Movement Disorder

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    Bruxism

    Stereotyped,intermittent rhythmic al teethgrinding and clenching during any sleep stage

    May have sore jaw muscles in the morning,headache, facial pain, abnormal dental wear

    Pathophysiology: unknown, may be worsened by

    stress Treatment: dental appliance, relaxation

    technique, stress management

    Sleep Related Movement Disorder

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    Circadian rhythm disorders

    Persistent inability to sleep at desired or

    expected time and/or excessive sleepiness

    during the wake period as defined byenvironmental/societal factors

    Types

    Delayed sleep phase disorder

    Advanced sleep phase disorder

    Circadian rhythm sleep disorder, nonentrainedtype

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    Delayed sleep phase disorder Delayed sleep onset and wake times in relation to societal norms When allowed to sleep at own schedule, total sleep duration and

    alertness during the wake period are normal Most common in adolescents and young adults in whom a delayed sleep

    phase tendency is physiologic Genetic predisposition, familial occurrence Pathophysiology:

    delayed circadian rhythm including body temperature and melatoninsecretion

    Bright light exposure in evening delays internal circadian rhythm

    Caffeine and other stimulant use in the day Treatment

    Chronotherapy

    Light therapy (early morning bright light)

    Melatonin 1-3 hours before bedtime

    Strict adherence to sleep wake schedule

    Circadian rhythm disorders

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    Circadian rhythm sleep disorder, nonentrained type Circadian rhythm either lacks chronization with 24 hour

    environmental rhythms or is free running at a non-24 hourrhythm (typically >24 hours)

    Observed most often in visually impaired patients, mentalretardation

    Occasionally due to behavioral patterns, environmentalfactors in sighted people

    Pathophysiology: lack of light stimulus to thesuprachiasmatic nucleus in blind persons leading to lack ofentrainment of circadian rhythm to environmental rhythm

    Treatment: melatonin before bedtime, light therapy

    Circadian rhythm disorders

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    Irregular sleep-wake rhythm

    Sleep is fragmented into several naps throughout the24 hour period ; total 24 hour sleep duration is normal

    Occurs mostly in patients with cerebral dysfunction orthose who choose an inconsistent sleep-wakeschedule but are capable of entrainment

    Pathophysiology: abnormal circadian clock function

    Treatment: light therapy, melatonin, strict adherenceto schedules

    Circadian rhythm disorders

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    Others Jet lag syndrome

    Eastward travel requires a phase advance

    W

    estward travel requires a phase delay of circadianrhythms

    On average, one day per time zone is required to adjustto local time

    Shift work sleep disorder Insomnia in the setting of a work schedule that requires

    late night, early morning, or rotating shifts Reduced 24 hour sleep time, sleep may be fragment,

    duration of symptoms for at least a month

    Due to general medical condition blindness,encephalopathies, dementias

    Circadian rhythm disorders

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    NREM parasomnias Abnormal behavior occur with sudden partial arousal from

    NREM sleep, usually SWS, typically in the first 1/3 of thenight

    Patients are not responsive to external stimuli and appearconfused when awakened; often no recall in AM

    Triggered by sleep deprivation, stress, environmental (loudnoises), medical conditions leading to increased arousals,CNS depressant medications which prevent arousal fromsleep and increase SWS/arousal threshold (hypnotics,

    alcohol) Types

    Sleep walking Sleep terrors Confusional arousals

    Parasomnias

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    Parasomnias

    Sleepwalking (somnambulism) Walking and other complex behavior occurring in stage III

    or IV

    Behaviors often inappropriate (urinating in a closet, moving

    objects randomly) May become violent when attempting to awaken

    Most common in children Treatment

    ReassuranceSecure sleeping environment

    Eliminate precipitants Benzodiazepines or tricyclic antidepressants can be prescribed Hypnosis, psychotherapy, relaxation techniques, stress

    management strategies

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    Sleep terrors (night terrors or parvor nocturnus) Sudden partial arousal from slow-wave sleep subsequent attack heralded by a piercing scream or cry with

    behavioral and autonomic manifestations of intense fear

    Unlike nightmares, these tend to occur during the first 1/3 of thenight when slow wave sleep predominates; no recollection ofdream content

    Benign condition More common in children Treatment

    Reassurance Avoidance of precipitants Behavioral therapy scheduled awakenings Benzodiazepines, antidepressants if severe

    Parasomnias

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    Parasomnias

    Confusional arousals

    Least dramatic form of arousal disorder

    Patient awakens temporarily and shows confusion,

    disorientation; poor response to external stimuli

    No associated prominent vocalization, motor activity,or fear

    No memory of the event

    No treatment required

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    Parasomnias

    REMSleep Parasomnias REMSleep Behavior Disorder

    Loss of atonia during REM sleep, with elaborate motor activity anddream mentation

    Mostly in men in 6th

    to 7th

    decade Distinctly unpleasant dreams of intruders or attackers and are

    recalled immediately after the event Frequent injury to self or partner Chronic form usually associated with neurologic disorders,

    especially neurodegenerative disorders associated with Esynuclein positive intracellular inclusions (Parkinsons, Lewy

    body, MSA) Pathophysiology: unclear, possibly lesions in the pontomedullary

    pathways promoting REM sleep atonia in combination withincreased activity in locomotor generators

    Treatment: bedroom safety, clonazepam, melatonin

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    Nightmares Frightening dreams resulting in awakening

    No prominent vocalization, motor activity

    Usually, full alertness and dream recallimmediately after awakening

    More frequent in children and patients withpsychiatric disorders (substance abuse, PTSD)

    Treatment Treat underlying disorder

    Psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavioral therapy

    Parasomnias

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    Sleep paralysis

    Partial or complete muscle paralysis at sleeponset or awakening with preserved consciousness

    Spared muscles: extraocular muscles, diaphragm

    May be accompanied by hallucinations

    Attacks can be aborted by sensory stimuli (calling

    or touching the patient)

    Parasomnias

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    Parkinsonism At risk for disrupted sleep due to the following

    Degeneration of neural systems that regulate sleep,resulting in sleep fragmentation and reduced REM and

    slow wave sleep Bradykinesia and rigidity and a reduction in the normal

    number of body shifts during sleep

    Periodic lg movmenets, termors, or medication inducedmovement disorders

    Abnormal muscle tone which facilitates breathingabnormalities

    Disorders of circadian rhythm and sleep-wakefulnessschedule

    Treat underlying disorder

    Sleep disorders associated

    with Neurologic Conditions

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    Sleep disorders associated

    with Neurologic Conditions Multiple system atrophy

    Nocturnal stridor from vocal corddystonia/paralysis, paradoxical vocal cordadduction with inspiration

    May cause sudden death in sleep

    Treatment: tracheostomy, nasal CPAP

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    Sleep disorders associated

    with Neurologic Conditions Alzheimers disease

    Cognitive decline is paralleled by a decline in slowwave sleep and REM sleep and an increase in the

    number of nocturnal awakenings and amount of timespent awake during normal sleep time (due todegeneration of brainstem and basal forebrainpathways)

    sundowning evening attacks of delirium in which

    patients experiences emotional and perceptualdisturbances with irrational thinking, disorganizedspeech, and agitation (from suprachiasmatic nucleusdegeneration?)

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    Sleep disorders associated

    with Neurologic Conditions Epilepsy

    Convulsive seizures often occur in sleep

    Mainly in stage III and IV of NREM

    Epileptiform discharges are suppressed in REM sleep andbecome more focal

    Certain seizure types are more closely related to sleep

    Frontal lobe epilepsy

    Temporal lobe epilepsy

    Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

    Benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes

    Epilepsy with generalized tonic clonic seizures onawakening

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    Effects of nocturnal seizures on sleep Increased nocturnal awakening and sleep fragmentation Increased percentage of lighter sleep stages

    Decreased REM sleep May cause excessive daytime sleepiness

    Effect of sleep on seizures: deprivation Lowers seizure threshold

    Increases frequency of interictal discharge Used to enhance detection of epileptiform discharges onEEG

    Anticonvulsants tend to consolidate sleep, maycause excessive daytime sleepiness

    Sleep disorders associated

    with Neurologic Conditions

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    SLEEP DISORDERS

    Sleep-related breathing disorders

    Hypersomnias of central origin

    Insomnia Sleep related movement disorder

    Circadian rhythm disorder

    Parasomnias Sleep disorders associated with neurological

    conditions