Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder in children with autism.
We performed nocturnal polysomnography on 11 children with autism who had symptoms of disrupted sleep and nocturnal awakenings. We identified rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder in 5 of these 11 patients. Since REM sleep behavior disorder typically affects elderly males with neurodegenerative diseases, the identification of this phenomenon in autistic children could have profound implications for our understanding of the neurochemical and neurophysiologic bases of autism. Further, accurate diagnosis of REM sleep behavior disorder would enable specific treatment with clonazepam and help the family and the child consolidate sleep and improve daytime performance.
Thirumalai
Shanti S
SS
Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA. sthirumalai@chla.usc.edu
Shubin
Richard A
RA
Robinson
Ricki
R
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004576:Electromyography; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017286:Polysomnography; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002998:Clonazepam