NREM sleep stage transitions control ultradian REM sleep rhythm.

Study Objectives: The cyclic sequence of NREM and REM sleep, the so-called ultradian rhythm, is a highly characteristic feature of sleep. However, the mechanisms responsible for the ultradian REM sleep rhythm, particularly in humans, have not to date been fully elucidated. We hypothesize that a stage transition mechanism is involved in the determination of the ultradian REM sleep rhythm.

Effect of levothyroxine on prolonged nocturnal sleep time and excessive daytime somnolence in patients with idiopathic hypersomnia.

Objective: This study aims to examine the effect of levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone, on a prolonged nocturnal sleep and excessive daytime somnolence (EDS) in patients with idiopathic hypersomnia.

Methods: In a prospective, open-label study, nine patients were enrolled. All subjects met criteria for idiopathic hypersomnia with long sleep time defined by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, 2nd edition (ICSD-2).

Three patients with cancer who developed rapid-eye-movement sleep behavior disorder.

This article discusses the clinical significance of differentiating parasomnia, such as rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD), from delirium in patients with advanced cancer. We describe three patients with advanced cancer who presented with aberrant behavior at night. All three patients developed violent behaviors when they were administered opioids and/or chemotherapy.

Proposed dose equivalence between clonazepam and pramipexole in patients with restless legs syndrome.

Background: Dopamine agonists are accepted as the first-line medications for restless legs syndrome (RLS). In some Asian countries, clonazepam is one of the prevalent medications for RLS because of its effect on sleep disturbances. To date, there have not been any studies that examined equivalent doses of pramipexole and clonazepam.

Adverse reactions to zolpidem: case reports and a review of the literature.

Objective: Zolpidem, a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic, is very effective and widely prescribed in clinical practice for the treatment of insomnia and is thought to have few adverse effects. However, zolpidem-induced adverse effects have begun to be reported in the literature, but few systemic descriptions of the adverse effects (especially for psychotic reactions) of zolpidem have been undertaken. In light of the accumulating reports of adverse reactions to zolpidem, we present 2 case reports of zolpidem-induced adverse effects and review the literature on this subject.

[Restless legs syndrome].

Restless legs syndrome has been recognized to be a common disorder as one of the sleep disturbances. The main symptom is an unpleasant and uncomfortable sensation frequently localized in the leg between the knee and the ankle. Patients find the nature of the discomfort difficult to describe and use words like creeping, pulling, stretching, restless sensations, aching and even pain.

Successful treatment with levothyroxine for idiopathic hypersomnia patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Objective: Our objective was to discuss the effect of levothyroxine on excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and a prolonged nocturnal sleep at patients with idiopathic hypersomnia who presented with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Methods: We present two patients with hypersomnia who complained of EDS and a prolonged nocturnal sleep time. Sleep architecture and subjective daytime sleepiness were estimated by polysomnography (PSG) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), respectively.

Effect of Yi-Gan San on psychiatric symptoms and sleep structure at patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

Objective: Recently, traditional herbal medicines have been reported to be effective for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). This study aims to examine the efficacy of Yi-Gan San (YGS) in the improvement of BPSD and sleep disorders in patients with dementia.

Methods: Five patients (1 male and 4 female) with dementia in accordance with DSM-IV criteria were investigated.

A decrease in N-acetylaspartate and an increase in myoinositol in the anterior cingulate gyrus are associated with behavioral and psychological symptoms in Alzheimer's disease.

Background And Purpose: The cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients has been reported to involve alterations in the medial temporal lobe and the posterior cingulate gyrus. On the other hand, the neurochemical pathologies of the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) have not been sufficiently discussed. The aim of this study was to clarify the pathologies of BPSD in AD patients.

Sleep disturbances and depression in the elderly in Japan.

Unlabelled: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between sleep disturbances and depression in the Japanese elderly.

Methods: These investigations in the Japanese elderly were carried out with the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and questions on restless legs syndrome and nocturnal eating disorder. A total of 2023 people (male: 1008; female: 1015; average age: 74.