Tsukuba, Jan. 14 -- : Researchers at the University of Tsukuba led by Professor Takeshi Sakurai have found neurons in the brain that link, narcolepsy, cataplexy, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder disorders and could provide a target for treatments.
REM sleep correlates when we dream. Our eyes move back and forth, but our bodies remain still. This near-paralysis of muscles while dreaming is called REM-atonia and is lacking in people with REM sleep behaviour disorder. Instead of being still during REM sleep, muscles move around, often going as far as to stand up and jump, yell, or punch.
Sakurai and his team set out to find the neurons in the brain that normally prevent this type of behaviour during REM sleep.
Working w...