The Parasomnias and Other Sleep-Related Movement Disorders
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: Dr. Kirsch has indicated no financial conflicts of interest. A comprehensive text on the topic of parasomnias, Michael Thorpy and Giuseppe Plazzi's book TheParasomnias and Other Sleep Related Movement Disorders fills a gap in available modern sleep medicine books and in fact claims to be “the first publication to focus on this topic in detail.” While this reviewer was unable to find another textbook specific to this area, certainly there are other publications, both written and DVDs available in the marketplace. While clearly wide-ranging in the subject area, the textbook is moderately sized and readable, with 33 chapters and 341 pages. Many of the authors contributing to this text are well known as experts in the field of sleep medicine, some of whom have devoted much of their research to expanding the parasomnia literature. The book is segmented into 6 major sections: (1) introduction, (2) disorders of arousals, (3) parasomnias usually associated with REM sleep, (4) other parasomnias, (5) sleep-related movement disorders and other variants, and (6) therapy of parasomnias. Regardless of whether this book represents the first publication on the topic of parasomnias, it is certainly the most complete scholarly text. While chapters on types of parasomnias might be expected, other chapters on the neuroimaging of parasomnias, the relationship between trauma and parasomnias, and non-medication based treatment of parasomnias are notable and appreciated additions. As evidenced in the title of the book, an entire section reviews the sleep-related movement disorders, including restless legs syndrome, bruxism, sleep panic, and sleep-related epilepsy. Referencing all nocturnal activities, whether designated a parasomnia or a sleep-related movement, creates a broader and more useful text, particularly when a clinician considers the differential diagnosis of a specific patient. As well, most chapters have at least a few tables to help guide the reader who is attempting to quickly garner facts. Appropriately for a book this recent vintage, chapters refer to only the most recent version of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (2005) except in rare cases. One of the only disadvantages of this text is what is not present. Though admittedly, they can be difficult to obtain, video clips demonstrating patients, their types of parasomnias and their stories, would be a welcome addition to this book either in a web-based form or attached disk. However, the chapter on “Video polysomnography of parasomnias” fittingly has advice on how to obtain the best images in the reader's own laboratory. While generally this reviewer would applaud the addition of color plates in any text, it appears that the large majority of the color images could have remained in black and white rather than create a subsection within the text. Lastly, while there are several chapters on diagnosis of parasomnias and three chapters on treatment of parasomnias, an algorithm for diagnosis of parasomnias and another for treatment might help the reader in a diagnostic quandary. Thorpy and Plazzi's text, The Parasomnias and Other Sleep-Related Movement Disorders, is a well-organized, comprehensive, and relatively unique text that is recommended for readers looking for in-depth information on the subject of nighttime behaviors. This book fills a niche that until now has been fairly barren; hopefully, it will spur other authors to expand the literature (including a larger audio-visual presence) on the topic of parasomnias.
Source: SLEEP
DOI: 10.5665/sleep.1140
Author: Douglas Kirsch, MD
Institution: Harvard University
Language: English
Topic: Sleep and related disorders
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1964639951