Biomedical subjects

O Lapierre

Publications and source records attributed to O Lapierre.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Polysomnographic features of REM sleep behavior disorder: development of a scoring method.

REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is characterized by the intermittent absence of REM sleep EMG atonia and the appearance of elaborate motor activity associated with dream mentation. There are no specific diagnostic criteria for RBD based upon polysomnographic findings. We describe a new scoring method and show its sensitivity to treatment with clonazepam. An increased phasic submental EMG density occurs in RBD patients, but REM density is similar to that of controls. Clonazepam selectively decreases REM sleep phasic activity but exerts no effect on REM sleep atonia. Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) occur equally in both REM and NREM sleep in RBD patients, suggesting that normal suppression of PLMS in REM sleep is due to motor inhibition.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

The treatment of the restless leg syndrome with or without periodic leg movements in sleep.

There are presently three main treatments for restless leg syndrome-periodic leg movements in sleep (RLS-PLMS). The benzodiazepines (especially clonazepam) are considered by most clinicians to be the treatment of choice in mild cases, especially in young subjects. In our experience, however, L-dopa and bromocriptine are more effective treatments, although no controlled studies have ever been conducted to compare their therapeutic benefits and the side effects of benzodiazepines and dopaminergic drugs. The use of opioids should be restricted to patients who have severe symptoms and who fail to respond to benzodiazepines or L-dopa. Propoxyphene was found less effective than L-dopa in decreasing PLMS, but some patients resistant to L-dopa may exhibit a masked therapeutic response to opioids. However, there is currently no method to predict the response to any treatment modality.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗

PubMed1990

The effect of gamma-hydroxybutyrate on nocturnal and diurnal sleep of normal subjects: further considerations on REM sleep-triggering mechanisms.

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a drug currently used to treat narcolepsy. The present study documents its effect on sleep organization in healthy subjects. GHB and a placebo were given at bedtime and before a morning nap in a double-blind fashion. GHB administered before nocturnal or diurnal sleep increases stages 3 and 4 and decreases stage 1 non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. In addition, GHB improves REM efficiency at night and reduces wake time after sleep onset when administered before a morning nap recording. GHB also slightly decreases REM latency when administered in the morning, and this effect is correlated with age. Hypotheses regarding mechanisms of action GHB and the involvement of hypothalamic structures in the regulation of REM sleep are discussed.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1989

Nocturnal gamma-hydroxybutyrate. Effect on periodic leg movements and sleep organization of narcoleptic patients.

Periodic leg movements during sleep (PMS) is a disorder frequently encountered in narcolepsy. In the present study, 12 narcoleptic patients (six with PMS and six without) were recorded in a sleep laboratory for 2 consecutive nights before and after treatment with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) taken at bedtime for 1 month. Treatment resulted in decreased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency and increased REM efficiency without change in the total duration of REM sleep. GHB was associated with the appearance of pathological levels of PMS in patients who were unaffected before treatment. These results are discussed in relation to the role of dopamine in the physiopathology of narcolepsy and PMS.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Parasomnia].

The parasomnias comprises a group of disorders that intrude into the sleep process and are not primarily disorders of sleep and wake states per se. These disorders are manifestations of central nervous system activation usually transmitted through skeletal muscle or autonomic nervous system channels (ICSD 1990). The parasomnias are divided into four groups: Arousal disorders (sleepwalking, night terrors, and confusionnal arousal), sleep-wake transition disorders (rhythmic movement disorder, sleep starts), REM sleep parasomnias (nightmares, sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and REM sleep behavior disorders), and other parasomnias (sleeptalking, nocturnal enuresis, and nocturnal bruxism.

Adult↗