Sleep Disorders
What Do You Need to Know?
- N2 dominates sleep (45–55%); K-complexes + sleep spindles are the defining features
- Narcolepsy Type 1: CSF hypocretin-1 ≤110 pg/mL is diagnostic; autoimmune loss of orexin neurons; HLA-DQB1*06:02 in >98%
- MSLT: mean sleep latency ≤8 min + ≥2 SOREMPs; must stop REM-suppressing meds ≥2 weeks before
- RBD: strongest prodromal marker for alpha-synucleinopathy — >80% convert to PD/DLB/MSA within 10–15 years
- RLS: check ferritin in ALL patients; supplement if <75 ng/mL; alpha-2-delta ligands are first-line (not dopamine agonists — augmentation risk)
- OSA: independent stroke risk factor; AHI ≥30 = severe; CPAP is first-line
- Fatal familial insomnia: PRNP D178N-129M, thalamic degeneration, progressive insomnia → death
Normal Sleep Architecture
Sleep Stages
| Stage | EEG Pattern | Key Features | % Total Sleep |
| Wake | Alpha (8–13 Hz, posterior) & Beta (>13 Hz) | Eyes open = beta; eyes closed = alpha | — |
| N1 | Theta (4–7 Hz) | Vertex sharp waves; easy to arouse | 5% |
| N2 | Theta background | K-complexes + sleep spindles (12–14 Hz) | 45–55% |
| N3 (SWS) | Delta (≤2 Hz, ≥75 μV) | Slow-wave sleep; ≥20% delta activity | 15–20% |
| REM | Low-voltage mixed frequency | Sawtooth waves, muscle atonia, REMs | 20–25% |
Sleep Cycle & Distribution
- Sleep cycles last ~90 minutes, 4–6 cycles per night
- N3 predominates early night (first 1–2 cycles); REM predominates late night (last 1–2 cycles)
- REM periods lengthen across the night; N3 periods shorten
Sleep Regulation: Two-Process Model
| Process | Mechanism | Key Molecule/Structure |
| Process S (Homeostatic) | Sleep pressure builds with waking | Adenosine accumulation (caffeine = adenosine antagonist) |
| Process C (Circadian) | ~24-hour internal clock | SCN → pineal gland → melatonin |
Key Neurotransmitters
| Function | Neurotransmitters | Source |
| Wake-promoting | Orexin/hypocretin | Lateral hypothalamus |
| Histamine | Tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) |
| Norepinephrine | Locus coeruleus (LC) |
| Serotonin | Dorsal raphe |
| Acetylcholine | Basal forebrain, PPT/LDT |
| Dopamine | VTA, vPAG |
| Sleep-promoting | GABA, galanin | VLPO (ventrolateral preoptic area) |
REM Switch
| REM-On | REM-Off |
| Cholinergic — PPT/LDT (pedunculopontine/laterodorsal tegmentum) | Noradrenergic — locus coeruleus |
| Glutamatergic — sublaterodorsal nucleus (SLD) | Serotonergic — dorsal raphe |
- K-complexes + sleep spindles = N2 — the most common sleep-staging question on boards
- Sawtooth waves are specific to REM; vertex sharp waves = N1
- VLPO is the “sleep switch” — lesions cause insomnia (flip-flop model with orexin stabilization)
Narcolepsy
Type 1 vs Type 2
| Feature | Narcolepsy Type 1 | Narcolepsy Type 2 |
| Cataplexy | Present (pathognomonic) | Absent |
| CSF hypocretin-1 | ≤110 pg/mL (or <1/3 normal) | Normal (>110 pg/mL) |
| HLA-DQB1*06:02 | >98% | ~50% |
| MSLT | ≤8 min + ≥2 SOREMPs | ≤8 min + ≥2 SOREMPs |
| Pathophysiology | Autoimmune loss of orexin neurons (lateral hypothalamus) | Unknown; partial orexin deficiency? |
| Prognosis | Lifelong; does not remit | May remit or evolve to Type 1 |
Classic Pentad (Type 1)
- Excessive daytime sleepiness — most common and earliest symptom (100%)
- Cataplexy — sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by emotion (especially laughter); consciousness preserved
- Hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations — vivid, dream-like imagery at sleep onset/offset
- Sleep paralysis — inability to move at sleep-wake transitions
- Disrupted nocturnal sleep — frequent awakenings
Diagnosis
- CSF hypocretin-1 ≤110 pg/mL: diagnostic for Type 1 regardless of MSLT result (most specific test)
- MSLT criteria: mean sleep latency ≤8 min + ≥2 SOREMPs
- A SOREMP on preceding nocturnal PSG counts as one of the required 2
- Must stop REM-suppressing medications (SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs) ≥2 weeks prior
- HLA-DQB1*06:02 is sensitive but NOT specific (25% of general population positive) — not used for diagnosis
Treatment
| Target | Medications | Notes |
| EDS | Modafinil/armodafinil | First-line; dopamine reuptake inhibitor |
| Solriamfetol | Dual dopamine/NE reuptake inhibitor |
| Pitolisant | H3 receptor inverse agonist (promotes histamine release) |
| Methylphenidate, amphetamines | Traditional stimulants; second-line |
| Cataplexy | Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) | Also improves EDS + nocturnal sleep; given at bedtime + 2.5–4 h later |
| Venlafaxine / other SNRIs | REM-suppressing; off-label for cataplexy |
| TCAs (clomipramine) | Anticholinergic side effects limit use |
| Both EDS + cataplexy | Sodium oxybate | Only medication treating both; Schedule III controlled |
| Low-sodium oxybate (Xywav) | Same efficacy, less sodium |
- Low CSF hypocretin-1 (≤110 pg/mL) is the most specific test for narcolepsy Type 1 — diagnostic even without MSLT
- Sodium oxybate is the only drug treating both EDS and cataplexy
- Cataplexy triggered by laughter in a young patient = narcolepsy Type 1 until proven otherwise
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Severity Classification
| Severity | AHI (events/hour) |
| Mild | 5–14 |
| Moderate | 15–29 |
| Severe | ≥30 |
Definitions
- Apnea: ≥90% reduction in airflow for ≥10 seconds
- Hypopnea: ≥30% reduction in airflow for ≥10 seconds + ≥3% desaturation or arousal
- AHI: apneas + hypopneas per hour of sleep
- RDI: AHI + RERAs (respiratory effort-related arousals)
Diagnosis
| Test | Indication | Channels |
| In-lab PSG (Type I) | Gold standard; complex cases, comorbidities | Full montage (EEG, EMG, ECG, airflow, effort, SpO2) |
| Home sleep test (Type III) | Uncomplicated, high pretest probability OSA | Airflow, effort, SpO2 (no EEG — underestimates AHI) |
Neurologic Consequences
- Stroke: OSA is an independent risk factor; screen all stroke/TIA patients
- Cognitive impairment: attention, memory, executive dysfunction (reversible with CPAP)
- Morning headache — due to nocturnal hypoxemia/hypercapnia
- Refractory hypertension — #1 identifiable cause of resistant HTN
- Nocturia, depression, impotence
Treatment
| Intervention | Indication | Notes |
| CPAP | First-line for all severities | Most effective; compliance is limiting factor |
| Weight loss | All overweight/obese | May cure mild OSA; adjunctive for moderate-severe |
| Oral appliance (MAD) | Mild–moderate; CPAP-intolerant | Mandibular advancement device |
| Positional therapy | Positional OSA (supine-predominant) | Tennis ball technique; positional devices |
| Hypoglossal nerve stimulator | Moderate–severe; CPAP failure | Inspire device; contraindicated with concentric collapse |
| UPPP surgery | Anatomic obstruction | Variable success; last resort |
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
| Type | Association | Pattern |
| Cheyne-Stokes | Heart failure, stroke | Crescendo-decrescendo pattern with central apneas |
| Opioid-induced | Chronic opioid use | Ataxic/irregular breathing; dose-dependent |
| High-altitude | >2,500 m elevation | Periodic breathing; acetazolamide for prevention |
| Treatment-emergent (complex) | Appears with CPAP initiation | Central apneas emerge on CPAP; treat with ASV |
ASV (adaptive servo-ventilation) is contraindicated in heart failure with EF ≤45% — increased mortality (SERVE-HF trial).
- OSA is an independent risk factor for stroke — screen in all stroke patients
- Home sleep tests underestimate AHI (no EEG to detect arousals; total recording time used as denominator)
Parasomnias — NREM
Disorders of Arousal (From N3/Slow-Wave Sleep)
| Disorder | Features | Memory of Event |
| Sleepwalking | Complex ambulatory behavior; eyes open, unresponsive; can be violent | Amnesia |
| Sleep terrors | Sudden screaming, autonomic surge (tachycardia, diaphoresis), sitting up | Amnesia |
| Confusional arousals | Disorientation, slow speech, inappropriate behavior in bed | Amnesia |
Key Characteristics
- Timing: first third of night (when N3 predominates)
- Eyes: open but unaware; difficult to arouse
- Amnesia: complete for the event
- Age: common in children; usually outgrown by adolescence
Triggers
- Sleep deprivation, alcohol, fever, stress
- Medications: zolpidem (especially associated), lithium, anticholinergics
- Conditions increasing N3: sleep deprivation, recovery sleep, OSA (forced arousals from SWS)
Sleep-Related Eating Disorder (SRED)
- Eating during partial arousals from N3; often unusual/inedible foods
- Strongly associated with zolpidem
- Differs from Night Eating Syndrome (NES) — NES involves full consciousness
NREM Parasomnias vs REM Parasomnias
| Feature | NREM Parasomnias | REM Parasomnias (RBD) |
| Timing | First third of night | Last third of night |
| Eyes | Open | Closed |
| Recall | Amnesia | Vivid dream recall |
| Behavior | Semi-purposeful; ambulatory | Dream enactment; violent/defensive |
| Age | Children > adults | Older males (>50) |
| Neurodegeneration | Not associated | >80% convert to synucleinopathy |
Treatment
- Reassurance + safety measures (remove hazards, lock doors/windows)
- Treat underlying triggers (OSA, sleep deprivation, offending medications)
- If persistent/dangerous: clonazepam (low-dose) or melatonin
- Sleep terrors = no recall, first third of night; nightmares = full recall, latter third of night — classic board distinction
- Zolpidem is the #1 medication association for both sleepwalking and SRED
Parasomnias — REM
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD)
| Feature | Details |
| Mechanism | Loss of normal REM atonia → dream enactment |
| PSG finding | REM without atonia (RSWA) on chin/limb EMG |
| Demographics | Older males (>50 years) |
| Behavior | Punching, kicking, yelling; often violent/defensive — eyes closed |
| Dream recall | Vivid dreams correlating with observed behavior |
| Timing | Latter half of night (REM-predominant) |
| Injury | Patient and/or bed partner; common presentation |
RBD & Neurodegeneration
- >80% convert to Parkinson disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or MSA within 10–15 years
- RBD is the strongest prodromal marker for alpha-synucleinopathy
- Isolated/idiopathic RBD should prompt longitudinal follow-up for neurodegeneration
- Can also be caused by medications: SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, beta-blockers
RBD Treatment
| Treatment | Notes |
| Melatonin | First-line; fewer side effects; 3–12 mg at bedtime |
| Clonazepam | Effective (0.25–2 mg); fall risk in elderly, OSA worsening |
| Bedroom safety | Remove sharp objects; pad floor; separate beds if needed |
Other REM Parasomnias
| Disorder | Features | Key Distinction |
| Nightmare disorder | Frightening dreams, latter half of night, full recall, awakens from REM | Full recall (vs sleep terrors = no recall) |
| Isolated sleep paralysis | Temporary inability to move at sleep-wake transitions; consciousness preserved | Can be normal; frequent episodes suggest narcolepsy |
| Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis | Repeated episodes without narcolepsy features | Benign; reassurance |
- RBD + parkinsonism → think DLB or PD; RBD + cerebellar ataxia + autonomic failure → MSA
- SSRIs/SNRIs can cause or unmask RBD — important medication history question
- PSG showing REM without atonia is required for definitive RBD diagnosis
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) & PLMD
RLS Diagnostic Criteria (All 5 Required)
- 1. Urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by uncomfortable sensations
- 2. Symptoms begin or worsen during rest/inactivity
- 3. Symptoms partially or totally relieved by movement
- 4. Symptoms occur exclusively or predominantly in the evening/night
- 5. Not solely accounted for by another medical/behavioral condition
Secondary Causes & Mimics
| Cause | Details |
| Iron deficiency | Most important; ferritin <75 ng/mL warrants supplementation |
| Pregnancy | Third trimester; usually resolves postpartum |
| ESRD/uremia | Up to 30% of dialysis patients |
| Peripheral neuropathy | Small fiber neuropathy can mimic/coexist |
| Medications that worsen | Antihistamines, SSRIs, SNRIs, dopamine blockers (metoclopramide, antipsychotics) |
Treatment
| Line | Treatment | Notes |
| All patients | Iron supplementation | If ferritin <75 ng/mL; target >100; IV iron if oral fails or ferritin <30 |
| First-line | Alpha-2-delta ligands (gabapentin, pregabalin) | No augmentation risk; also helps comorbid pain/insomnia |
| Second-line | Dopamine agonists (pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine patch) | Risk of augmentation; use lowest effective dose |
| Refractory | Low-dose opioids (oxycodone, methadone) | Severe, treatment-resistant cases |
Augmentation
- Definition: paradoxical worsening of RLS symptoms with dopamine agonist treatment
- Features: earlier symptom onset, shorter latency to symptoms at rest, spread to upper extremities/trunk, increased severity
- Most important complication of dopaminergic therapy — reason alpha-2-delta ligands are now first-line
- Management: discontinue dopamine agonist (gradually), switch to alpha-2-delta ligand, supplement iron
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)
- Periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS) on PSG: stereotyped, repetitive leg movements (toe dorsiflexion + knee/hip flexion) every 20–40 seconds
- PLM index >15/hr on PSG = significant
- PLMD diagnosis requires: elevated PLM index + clinical sleep disturbance + no other explanation
- Common in RLS (>80%) but PLMS alone is not RLS
- Treat only if causing sleep disruption or daytime symptoms
- Check ferritin in ALL RLS patients; supplement if <75 ng/mL — even if hemoglobin is normal
- Alpha-2-delta ligands (gabapentin/pregabalin) are now first-line over dopamine agonists to avoid augmentation
- Augmentation = worsening RLS on dopamine agonist — earlier onset, spread to arms, increased intensity
Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Types
| Disorder | Population | Pattern | Treatment |
| Delayed sleep-wake phase | Teenagers/young adults | Sleep/wake delayed ≥2 hours; “night owl” | Evening melatonin + morning bright light |
| Advanced sleep-wake phase | Elderly | Early evening sleepiness, early morning awakening | Evening bright light; avoid morning melatonin |
| Non-24-hour sleep-wake | Totally blind | Free-running rhythm (>24 h); progressively drifting sleep | Tasimelteon (melatonin agonist) |
| Shift work disorder | Night/rotating shift workers | Insomnia + EDS during required wake times | Strategic light exposure, melatonin, modafinil |
| Jet lag | Travelers crossing ≥2 time zones | Transient; eastward travel worse (phase advance harder) | Timed light + melatonin; self-limited |
| Irregular sleep-wake | Dementia, brain injury | No clear circadian pattern; fragmented sleep | Structured light exposure + activity |
Circadian Physiology
- SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus): master circadian pacemaker in anterior hypothalamus
- Light entrainment: retina → melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) → retinohypothalamic tract → SCN
- Melatonin: SCN → superior cervical ganglion → pineal gland → melatonin secretion (darkness promotes release)
- DLMO (dim light melatonin onset): most reliable circadian phase marker; typically ~2 hours before habitual sleep onset
- Endogenous period: ~24.2 hours (slightly longer than 24 h) — requires daily light entrainment
Melatonin Timing Principles
| Goal | Melatonin Timing | Light Timing |
| Phase advance (sleep earlier) | Evening (5–7 PM, before DLMO) | Morning bright light |
| Phase delay (sleep later) | Morning (avoid) | Evening bright light |
- Non-24-hour disorder is almost exclusively in the totally blind (no light entrainment) — treat with tasimelteon
- Delayed sleep-wake phase is the most common circadian rhythm disorder — think teenager who can’t fall asleep before 2 AM
- Light is the strongest zeitgeber (time-giver); melanopsin RGCs are the key photoreceptors
Sleep-Related Movement Disorders & Other
Overview
| Disorder | Features | Management |
| Bruxism | Teeth grinding/clenching during sleep; jaw pain, tooth wear, headache | Dental guard; treat OSA if comorbid; stress management |
| Sleep-related leg cramps | Painful involuntary contraction, usually calf; common in elderly | Stretching, hydration; quinine no longer recommended (cardiac risk) |
| Rhythmic movement disorder | Head banging (jactatio capitis), body rocking; onset of sleep | Usually children; self-limited; protective measures |
| Propriospinal myoclonus | Involuntary axial jerks at sleep onset; can mimic epilepsy | Clonazepam; rule out spinal cord lesion |
| Hypnic jerks (sleep starts) | Single sudden jerk at sleep onset, often with falling sensation | Normal & benign; reassurance; reduce caffeine |
| Exploding head syndrome | Loud perceived noise/flash at sleep onset; painless, frightening | Benign; reassurance |
Kleine-Levin Syndrome
| Feature | Details |
| Triad | Recurrent hypersomnia + hyperphagia + hypersexuality/behavioral changes |
| Demographics | Adolescent males predominantly |
| Episodes | Days to weeks; normal between episodes |
| HLA association | HLA-DQB1*02 |
| Course | Self-limited; episodes decrease over years |
| Treatment | Lithium (may reduce episode frequency); stimulants for acute EDS |
Hypnic jerks are normal phenomena occurring in up to 70% of people — do not order EEG or workup. Propriospinal myoclonus, however, may mimic seizures and requires differentiation with video-PSG.
Sleep & Neurologic Disease
Epilepsy & Sleep
| Concept | Details |
| Sleep activation | Interictal discharges increase in N1/N2; frontal lobe seizures often sleep-related |
| Sleep deprivation | Lowers seizure threshold; used as activation in EEG |
| AED effects | Carbamazepine/phenytoin ↑ N3; valproate ↑ N1; levetiracetam has minimal effect |
| Seizure timing | Frontal: sleep > wake; temporal: wake > sleep; JME: upon awakening |
Sleep-Related Hypermotor Epilepsy (SHE)
- Formerly nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (NFLE)
- Genetics: CHRNA4, CHRNB2 (nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits) — autosomal dominant
- Features: stereotyped hypermotor events from N2 sleep; brief (10–60 sec), multiple per night
- Differentiation from NREM parasomnia: SHE = stereotyped, brief, multiple/night, frontal semiology; parasomnias = variable, prolonged, usually 1/night
Sleep Disorders in Neurologic Disease
| Disease | Sleep Manifestations |
| Parkinson disease | RBD (prodromal, >80% convert), EDS, sleep fragmentation, RLS, vivid dreams |
| DLB | RBD (core feature), visual hallucinations, EDS |
| MSA | RBD, stridor (vocal cord abductor paralysis — can be fatal), central/obstructive apnea |
| Stroke | OSA (↑ stroke risk), central apnea (post-brainstem stroke), insomnia, hypersomnia |
| Alzheimer disease | Sundowning, circadian disruption, OSA, ↓ SWS |
| Epilepsy | Sleep activation of seizures, sleep fragmentation, AED effects on architecture |
| Headache | Cluster = REM-related; hypnic headache = awakens from sleep (elderly) |
Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI)
| Feature | Details |
| Genetics | PRNP D178N-129M (prion protein mutation) |
| Pathology | Thalamic neuronal loss (mediodorsal + anterior nuclei) |
| Presentation | Progressive insomnia → autonomic dysfunction (hyperhidrosis, tachycardia, hypertension) → motor signs → death |
| PSG | Markedly reduced or absent sleep spindles and SWS |
| Course | Fatal; mean survival 18 months |
Morvan Syndrome
- Antibody: anti-CASPR2 (contactin-associated protein-like 2)
- Tetrad: insomnia (severe/agrypnia) + neuromyotonia (peripheral nerve hyperexcitability) + autonomic dysfunction + encephalopathy
- May be paraneoplastic (thymoma)
- Treatment: immunotherapy (IVIg, PLEX, steroids) + thymectomy if thymoma present
- FFI = PRNP D178N-129M; thalamic degeneration; progressive insomnia + autonomic failure → death
- MSA stridor (vocal cord abductor paralysis) can cause sudden death during sleep
- SHE (CHRNA4/CHRNB2) vs NREM parasomnia: SHE events are stereotyped, brief, and multiple per night
Sleep Studies & Diagnostic Tools
Polysomnography (PSG) Channels
| Channel | Purpose | Details |
| EEG | Sleep staging | Frontal (F3/F4), Central (C3/C4), Occipital (O1/O2); referenced to mastoids |
| EOG | Eye movements | E1, E2; detects REMs and slow rolling eye movements (N1) |
| Chin EMG | Muscle tone | REM atonia assessment; essential for RBD diagnosis |
| Leg EMG | Limb movements | Bilateral anterior tibialis; PLMs |
| Airflow | Apnea/hypopnea detection | Oronasal thermistor (apnea) + nasal pressure transducer (hypopnea) |
| Respiratory effort | Central vs obstructive differentiation | Thoracic + abdominal RIP belts |
| SpO2 | Oxygen desaturation | Pulse oximetry |
| ECG | Cardiac rhythm | Single-lead; arrhythmia detection |
| Body position | Positional OSA | Supine vs non-supine AHI comparison |
MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Test)
| Parameter | Details |
| Protocol | Day after overnight PSG; 4–5 nap opportunities at 2-hour intervals |
| Each nap | 20-minute opportunity; terminated at 20 min if no sleep or 15 min after sleep onset |
| Measures | Mean sleep latency + number of SOREMPs |
| Normal | Mean sleep latency ≥10 minutes |
| Narcolepsy criteria | Mean sleep latency ≤8 min + ≥2 SOREMPs |
| PSG SOREMP | A SOREMP within 15 min on preceding PSG counts as one of the required 2 |
| Medication washout | Stop SSRIs/SNRIs/TCAs ≥2 weeks before (suppress REM → false-negative SOREMPs) |
| Sleep requirement | Must have ≥6 hours total sleep on preceding PSG |
MWT (Maintenance of Wakefulness Test)
| Parameter | Details |
| Purpose | Measures ability to stay awake (opposite of MSLT) |
| Protocol | 4 trials at 2-hour intervals; 40-minute duration each |
| Use | Fitness-for-duty assessments (pilots, commercial drivers) |
| Normal | Mean sleep latency ≥40 minutes (no sleep in any trial) |
| Abnormal | Mean sleep latency <8 minutes |
Other Diagnostic Tools
| Tool | Use | Key Points |
| Actigraphy | Circadian rhythm disorders, insomnia | Wrist-worn accelerometer; measures rest-activity cycles over 1–2+ weeks |
| Sleep diary | Complement to actigraphy | ≥2 weeks; documents subjective sleep-wake patterns |
| CSF hypocretin-1 | Narcolepsy Type 1 diagnosis | ≤110 pg/mL = diagnostic; most specific test |
| HLA typing | Narcolepsy association | DQB1*06:02 sensitive but not specific; not diagnostic alone |
| Epworth Sleepiness Scale | Subjective sleepiness | Self-reported; score >10 = excessive sleepiness; screening only |
| STOP-BANG | OSA screening | Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, Pressure (HTN), BMI, Age, Neck, Gender |
- MSLT requires stopping SSRIs/SNRIs/TCAs ≥2 weeks before — these suppress REM and cause false-negative SOREMPs
- MSLT measures tendency to fall asleep; MWT measures ability to stay awake — different clinical questions
- A SOREMP on preceding nocturnal PSG counts toward the 2 required for narcolepsy diagnosis