Overview
REM Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder in which the person acts out dramatic or violent dreams during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep.
A sleep cycle is defined by a segment of Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep, which comprises of four stages, followed by a period of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. A typical sleep cycle is about 100 - 110 minutes long, beginning with NREM sleep and transitioning to REM sleep after 80 - 100 minutes.

REM sleep is accompanied by bursts of Rapid Eye Movements. It has heightened brain activity and temporary paralysis of the muscles that controls posture and body movement. REM sleep is otherwise referred to as the 'dream sleep' as most of our dreams occur during this phase of sleep and the temporary muscle paralysis that occurs during this phase is a protective mechanism so that we do not act out our dreams.
Victims of REM Behavior Disorder (RBD) do not experience muscle paralysis, which is the usual case during REM sleep. This gives the victim a free hand to physically demonstrate or act out dreams.
Patient with RBD demonstrate their dreams with passion and intensity, which can also turn violent. Many such patients sit up in sleep, make wild gesticulations, kick or scream, even punch their partner as they act out their dreams. Such behaviors can also manifest during withdrawal from alcohol or hypnotic drugs.
References:
- Sleep Stages Explained: How Your Brain Works At Night - (http://www.sleepdisorderchannel.com/rem/)
- REM Sleep Behavior Disorder - (http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic524.htm)
- About REM Sleep Behavior Disorder - (http://www.emedicinehealth.com/rem_sleep_behavior_disorder/article_em.htm)
Latest Publications and Research on REM Behavior Disorder
- Sleep and its disturbances in neurology. - Published by PubMed
- Sleep disorders in Wilson disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. - Published by PubMed
- Contrast Sensitivity Visual Acuity in REM Behavior Disorder: A Comparison with and without Parkinson's Disease. - Published by PubMed
- The Effect of Self-Reported REM Behavior Disorder Symptomology on Intrusive Memories in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. - Published by PubMed
- Gender differences in clinical findings and a-synucleiopathy-related markers in patients with idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder. - Published by PubMed
Citations
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APA
Dr. Anitha Paderla. (2016, November 08). REM Behavior Disorder . Medindia. Retrieved on Jun 27, 2022 from https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/sleep/rem-sleep-behavior-disorder.htm.
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MLA
Dr. Anitha Paderla. "REM Behavior Disorder ". Medindia. Jun 27, 2022. <https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/sleep/rem-sleep-behavior-disorder.htm>.
Chicago
Dr. Anitha Paderla. "REM Behavior Disorder ". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/sleep/rem-sleep-behavior-disorder.htm. (accessed Jun 27, 2022).
Harvard
Dr. Anitha Paderla. 2021. REM Behavior Disorder . Medindia, viewed Jun 27, 2022, https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/sleep/rem-sleep-behavior-disorder.htm.
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