Abstract

The pontine tegmentum contains the neurons responsible for generation of saccadic eye movements and certain phases of sleep. We studied two genetically unrelated patients with spinocerebellar degeneration and slow saccadic eye movements. Multiple all-night sleep studies in both patients disclosed absence of REM and stage 4 sleep with an extremely short stage 3 and long stage 2. Both patients had a sleep stage (X) not previously reported. These are the first awake and ambulatory humans in whom consistent absence of REM sleep has been demonstrated. Both behaved appropriately during wakefulness and showed no overt psychological abnormalities.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.