Introduction

Abstract

Although descriptions of sleep-related behaviors date back into ancient civilization, the neurophysiological research of parasomnias has not started until the discovery of electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring of sleep states. There has been a significant progress made in the understanding of etiology of parasomnias based on the results of neurophysiological, genetic, and neuroimaging studies. The existing International Classification of Sleep Disorders divides parasomnias into several categories including: disorders of arousal, parasomnias associated with REM sleep, and other parasomnias. Prevalence of parasomnias varies across clinical samples with higher prevalence being reported among patients with medical/neurological and psychiatric disorders and among children of younger ages. This volume provides a comprehensive review of the etiology, assessment, differential diagnosis, medicolegal liability, and treatment interventions for parasomnias across the lifespan.