RBD Question of the Week❓💤💡 What is REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD)?

RBD Question of the Week❓💤💡

This week, we have Dr. Carlos Schenck, a physician who first described RBD and a member of the NAPS Scientific Advisory Board, to answer one of our most pressing RBD questions.

Q: What is REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD)?

A: REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia that occurs during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Normally, during REM sleep, there is a paralysis of muscles. RBD involves loss of muscle paralysis, so individuals can have talking or movements that correspond to their dreams. Sometimes, these behaviors result in sleep disruption or injury to oneself or a bedpartner. Other sleep disorders may mimic RBD, so RBD requires a sleep medicine consultation and a sleep study (polysomnogram) for diagnosis.