Atypical presentation of NREM arousal parasomnia with repetitive episodes.
The case report describes a distinct variant of non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement) arousal parasomnia, sleepwalking type, featuring repetitive abrupt arousals, mostly from slow-wave sleep, and various automatisms and semi-purposeful behaviours. The frequency of events and distribution throughout the night presented as a continuous status of parasomnia ('status parasomnicus'). The patient responded well to treatment typically administered for adult NREM parasomnias, and after careful review of the clinical presentation, objective findings and treatment outcome, sleep-related epilepsy was ruled out in favour of parasomnia.
Sleep and Alertness Clinic, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. somnolog@gmail.com
N N
NN
Trajanovic
C M
CM
Shapiro
A
A
Ong
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005192:Family Health; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020447:Parasomnias / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017286:Polysomnography; D012008:Recurrence; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D020921:Sleep Arousal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013009:Somnambulism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*
D018757:GABA Modulators; D002998:Clonazepam