Parasomnias — Flashcards

Flashcard 1: What is the first-line pharmacological treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy?

Answer: Modafinil

Extra: Initial management of narcolepsy includes sleep hygiene and scheduled daytime naps. Modafinil (a non-amphetamine stimulant) is the first-line pharmacological treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness. \n\nNote: Sodium oxybate is often used for cataplexy.

Flashcard 2: Narcolepsy is characterized by nocturnal and narcoleptic sleep episodes that start with _____ sleep (sleep paralysis)

Answer: REM

Flashcard 3: What demographic is associated with decreased REM sleep and increased sleep latency? _____

Answer: Elderly patients

Flashcard 4: What class of medications may be used to treat parasomnias in children, such as sleepwalking and night terrors?

Answer: Benzodiazepines

Flashcard 5: Which stage of sleep do sleepwalking and night terrors occur? _____

Answer: Stage N3

Flashcard 6: What is the primary neurotransmitter that inhibits REM sleep?

Answer: norepinephrine (NE)

Flashcard 7: What sleep changes are common in the elderly?

Answer: less REM and slow-wave sleep more latency and awakenings

Flashcard 8: What are the key characteristics and clinical associations of Sleep Stage N3?

Answer: deep sleep, sleepwalking, night terrors, bedwetting

Extra: Characterized by delta waves (low frequency, high amplitude). This is the stage where non-REM parasomnias like sleepwalking (somnambulism) and night terrors occur.

Flashcard 9: REM

Answer: dreaming, loss of motor tone, high brain activity

Extra: beta waves (like being fully awake)

Flashcard 10: What three drugs are associated with reduced REM and Stage N3 sleep?

Answer: alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbituates