Dreaming in Parasomnias: REM Sleep Behavior Disorder as a Model.
Elisabetta Fasiello, Serena Scarpelli, Maurizio Gorgoni, Valentina Alfonsi, Luigi De Gennaro
Journal of Clinical Medicine October 28, 2022 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11216379 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Narrative review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Keywords | Dream contents Dream recall frequency Oneiric activity Parasomnias |
| Key findings | Patients with RBD report high dream recall frequency and vivid dreams associated with enacted motor episodes, and isolated RBD is a prodromal stage of neurodegeneration. |
Abstract
Sleep parasomnias have drawn the interest of sleep experts because they represent a valuable window to directly monitor dream activity and sleep mentation associated with nocturnal events. Indeed, parasomnias and their manifestations are helpful in investigating dream activity and features, overcoming methodological limits that affect dream study. Specifically, REM sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by enacted dream episodes during Rapid Eye Movements (REM) sleep, caused by the loss of physiological atonia. Patients suffering from RBD report a peculiar oneiric activity associated with motor episodes characterized by high Dream Recall Frequency (DRF) and vivid dreams. Additionally, isolated RBD (iRBD) represents a prodromal stage of neurodegeneration preceding the development of α-synucleinopathies. This narrative review aims to combine evidence describing dream activity in RBD and similarities and differences with other NREM parasomnias. Moreover, a special focus has been reserved for those conditions in which RBD is associated with α-synucleinopathies to clarify the potential role of dreams in neurodegenerative processes.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cognitive neuroscience of lucid dreaming | 2019 | Review | |
| Sleep and dreaming are for important matters | 2013 | Review | |
| Nightmare Disorder and Isolated Sleep Paralysis | 2020 | Review | |
| My Dream, My Rules: Can Lucid Dreaming Treat Nightmares? | 2019 | Review | |
| Dream Recall: State or Trait Variable? Part I: Model, Theories, Methodology and Trait Factors | 1996 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Dreaming Characteristics in Non-Rapid Eye Movement Parasomnia and Idiopathic Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder: Similarities and Differences Nature and Science of Sleep March 1, 2024
- Are We Asking the Right Questions? Sex Specificity of Dream Characteristics in Probable Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder Movement Disorders Clinical Practice August 15, 2025
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and 12 more in the library