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The following is a visitor-submitted question or story. For more, you can submit your own sleep story here, or browse the collection of experiences and questions other visitors have shared here.
Connection Between REM Behavior Disorder and Memory Loss
by Justin Diep
(Stanford)
Recently an article in the French Tribune documented findings by an Australian behavioral neurologist named Brandon Boot ran at the Mayo Clinic, who discovered that there is a strong link existing between sleep disorders and its severe consequences on the memory of a person. In his findings, he discovered that REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) puts the patient at twice the risk of developing Parkinson's disease or other memory-related problems.
This was evidenced when he noticed that one-third of the people affected by the disorder, who were being studied in the research, started developing memory problems like mild cognitive impairment or Parkinson’s disease within only four years.
This is significant as this is the first study to quantify the risk associated with probable REM behavior disorder in average people, not only patients. As a result, this heightens the importance of recognizing the possible links between sleep disorders and other physical problems. Furthermore, by recognizing the correlation between these issues, this again elevates the need to treat sleep disorders as a serious issue, making it necessary to take steps to fix this issue on a national level. As a result, this article reveals that the importance of one’s sleeping health and hygiene, and its influence on other aspects of people’s lives.
I myself can utilize this information, for although I do not suffer from these same problems, it is necessary for me to truly value the importance of my sleeping life. If I neglect these issues, as this article revealed, I may be subjected to further problems along the course of my life, ranging from dementia to even memory problems if I do not take care of my health. As a result, this article is crucial not even to people suffering from these disorders, but is relevant to all people given the importance, as restated by this article, of sleep.
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Welcome! This site is continuously being created by students of Dr. William C. Dement's Sleep And Dreams course at Stanford University.
We made this site as a call to action for people all over the world to live healthier, happier, safer, and more productive lives by learning about their own sleep. We have faith that reading the information provided on this site will motivate you to be smart about your sleep deprivation and strategic about your alertness in order to live life to your fullest, most energetic potential.
In fact, we challenge you to do so! What do you say, are you up for the challenge?
Interviews With Sleep Specialists: Insights Into the Worlds of Sleep Medicine & Sleep Business
America's Most Dangerous Disorder: What Is Sleep Apnea Doing To Your Sleep?
Sleep Debt: How Much More Will You Achieve When You Reduce Yours?
The Stages Of Sleep: The Journey Through The Night
Delayed Sleep Phase: You Want To Sleep But You're Not Tired Yet
Paralyzed at Night: Is Sleep Paralysis Normal?
Sleep In Words: Smart, Strange, and Funny Quotes About Sleep
Sleep Disorders In Children: What's Keeping Your Child From A Full Night's Rest?
Attacks of Pavor Nocturnus (a.k.a. Sleep Terrors, Night Terrors, or Incubus Attacks)
A Note On Visitor-Submitted Questions:
Publishing sleep stories and questions from our visitors is meant to create a forum for open and proactive dialogue about an extremely important portion of our lives (one that occupies 1/3 of it and affects the other 2/3) that isn't talked about enough. It is not meant to substitute a trip to the doctor or the advice of a specialist. It's good to talk; it is not good to avoid consulting someone who's profession it is to help you with this kind of stuff.
If you are in any way concerned about your sleep health, don't wait for an answer on here, and don't necessarily rely on them. See a sleep specialist in your area as soon as possible.
The Stanford Sleep Book
Dr. Dement's pioneering textbook has been the core text for Sleep and Dreams since 1980, but it has just recently been made available to the wider public for the first time.
In it you'll find a more detailed account of the most important things you need to know about sleep, alertness, dreams, and sleep disorders. Studies, statistics, plus plenty of Dr. Dement's classic anecdotes painting the history of sleep medicine.
Preface | Intro | Contents | Get A Copy
More Sleep Resources
The Zeo
A revolution in personal sleep tracking, the Zeo is a wireless headband that transmits your brainwaves in realtime to a dock (pictured here) or your smartphone. The result? You can wake up and see exactly what stages of sleep you were in during the night! Unprecedented personalized sleep knowledge.
Sleep Paralysis: A Dreamer's Guide
Ever woken up paralyzed? A surprising number of us have, believe it or not. But few know the actual causes of this phenomenon, and fewer still how to exert control over it. Dream researcher and sleep paralysis expert Ryan Hurd shares breakthrough insights into how to do just that.
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