Sleepwalking, night terrors, sleep paralysis, and other unusual sleep behaviors explained.
6 articlesA meta-analysis of 5,568 participants across 11 studies found that people with sleep paralysis face substantially higher odds of an anxiety disorder — a relationship that only became statistically clear once researchers accounted for one outlier study skewing the results.
A double-blind trial of 171 PTSD patients found dronabinol, a prescription form of THC, eliminated recurring nightmares entirely for more than a third of participants, offering the first large-scale evidence for a pharmacological nightmare treatment.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University demonstrated that a small inertial sensor worn on the lower back over six nights at home can identify isolated REM sleep behavior disorder with 93% sensitivity — potentially catching a condition that converts to Parkinson's or dementia in more than 80% of cases.
Most headlines focused on the frightening odds ratios. But researchers studying the Parkinson's–sleep disorder connection say the more important finding is this: if you have REM sleep behavior disorder, you likely have years before Parkinson's symptoms appear — and that window may soon be treatable.
Research by a 17-year-old student recognized in the Regeneron Science Talent Search found that over 25% of surveyed high school students reported symptoms of sleep paralysis, a rate consistent with studies of college-aged populations and raising questions about the role stress plays.
While scientists have made strides in understanding sleepwalking and night terrors, including finding that familial cases start earlier and are more severe, the fundamental question of why some people develop these behaviors remains unanswered.
