SLEEP · 1995 · 52 citations · 0 references
MedicineNeurologyPsychiatrySleep MedicineSleep NeurologySleep PsychiatryContinuous Positive Airway PressureHypersomnia DisordersParasomniasSleep-disordered BreathingSleep-related Breathing DisordersSleep-wake DisordersDisorders Of ArousalNasal Continuous Positive Airway PressureNight TerrorsObstructive Sleep Apnea TreatmentResidual Sleep ApneaSleep ArousalsSleep ReboundSleep Terrors
Parasomnias are generally described as disorders of arousal that arise out of stage 3 and 4 nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep without identifiable cause. We present a case of a 35-year-old man who during nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) treatment for severe obstructive sleep apnea experienced an intense night terror triggered by a residual obstructive apnea during rebound deep sleep. The role of rebound deep sleep was thought to be essential in creating a state of sleep with a high arousal threshold hypothesized to be important for the occurrence of parasomnias. This case supports the clinical wisdom that identifiable sources of arousal can trigger parasomnias.