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Altered states of consciousness in disorders of daytime sleepiness.

Christian Guilleminault, M Billiard, J Montplaisir, William C. Dement

Journal of the Neurological Sciences November 1, 1975 DOI: 10.1016/0022-510x(75)90209-9 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Population Patients with daytime sleepiness
Topics Altered states of consciousness
Keywords Humans Apnea Consciousness disorders Narcolepsy Cataplexy Syndrome Automatism Cognition disorders Adult Middle aged Female Sleep wake disorders
Key findings Altered states of consciousness in daytime sleepiness include automatic behavior syndrome, with mechanical activity and complete amnesia during episodes lasting seconds to hours linked to repetitive micro-sleep, and cataplectic attacks blending reality with hallucinatory dream content. Sleep-induced apnea may cause abnormal movements, abnormal ambulation during sleep, and early-morning hallucinations. The author argues these states should be treated as diagnostic indexes to differentiate epileptic syndromes from syndromes of daytime sleepiness.

Abstract

Patients with daytime sleepiness present altered states of consciousness. The occurrence of these states impairs their professional, social and familial activities and may threaten life itself. The automatic behavior syndrome is characterized by continuation of mechanical activity and complete amnesia. Episodes lasting from a few seconds to several hours are correlated with repetitive micro-sleep periods. During cataplectic attacks, patients may have a meshing of reality with hallucinatory dream contents. Sleep-induced apnea may lead to abnormal movement and abnormal ambulation during sleep as well as hallucinations in the early morning. These altered states of consciousness must be considered as diagnostic indexes in differentiating epileptic syndromes from syndromes of daytime sleepiness.

Comparable studies

Other narrative reviews on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The Subjective Effects of Psychedelics Are Necessary for Their Enduring Therapeutic Effects. 2020 Review
Psychobiology of Altered States of Consciousness. 2005 Review
Intrinsic Brain Activity in Altered States of Consciousness 2008 Review
Dynamic functional connectivity and brain metastability during altered states of consciousness 2017 Review
A default mode of brain function in altered states of consciousness. 2013 Review

Citations in the library

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