rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder
Also written as: RBD — Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder
A parasomnia characterized by loss of normal muscle atonia during REM sleep, causing dream enactment behaviors.
Full Definition
Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia in which the normal temporary paralysis that occurs during REM sleep is absent or incomplete, allowing individuals to physically act out their dreams. This can result in complex motor behaviors including talking, yelling, punching, kicking, or jumping from bed, potentially causing injury to the patient or bed partner. RBD is often associated with neurodegenerative diseases, particularly synucleinopathies like Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. The disorder is diagnosed through polysomnography and clinical history, and may serve as an early marker for future neurological conditions.
Usage
Usage note: May be abbreviated as RBD; hyphenate compound modifiers when preceding noun.
In Context
- "Polysomnography confirmed rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder with multiple episodes of dream enactment." — Sleep study report
- "The patient's wife reported increasingly violent rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder episodes over the past six months." — Clinical interview notes