Hypersomnia associated with bilateral posterior hypothalamic lesion. A polysomnographic case study.
We examined an obese 58-year-old patient with a bilateral posterior hypothalamic lesion of unknown etiology. A 24-hour polysomnography revealed a markedly increased total sleep time (17.6 h). During daytime, only 3 continuous wake phases occurred. REM periods occurred only between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m. We conclude from our results that, similar to the results from animal experiments, the posterior hypothalamus in humans plays a critical role in the maintenance of wakefulness.
Eisensehr
I
I
Department of Neurology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany. eisen@nefo.med.uni-muenchen.de
Noachtar
S
S
von Schlippenbach
C
C
Uttner
I
I
Kleine
J
J
Seelos
K
K
Helmchen
C
C
D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001831:Body Temperature; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007034:Hypothalamus, Posterior / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017286:Polysomnography
D006728:Hormones