This video describes Non Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep Arousal Disorder. This disorder can be divided into two subtypes: sleepwalking and sleep terrors. The sleepwalking subtype is an episode of incomplete arousal usually occurring in the first 1/3 of the night. This episode is characterized by walking around and engaging in simple, routine behavior. Typically, an individual is difficult to wake up during an episode. The sleepwalking episodes are not associated with dreaming and amnesia is observed afterward. The sleepwalking subtype has two specifiers: sleep-related eating behavior and sleep-related sexual behavior (sexsomnia). Sleep related eating is more common in females. Sleep related sexual behavior is more common in males. The sleep terror subtype usually starts with a scream or cry from the perspective from an observer. Sleep terror subtype episodes are also referred to as night terrors.

Circuit for Arousal from Sleep during Hypercapnia

For more information, see Kaur et al., Neuron 96/5, http://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(17)30977-7.

Kaur et al. identify calcitonin gene-related peptide neurons in the parabrachial nucleus as a key switch for waking up the brain in response to elevated CO2. This switch provides a target for preventing sleep disruptions in obstructive sleep apnea.
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