Congiu P, Gagliano A, Carucci S, Lanza G, Ferri R, Puligheddu M. REM sleep atonia in patients with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome: implications for pathophysiology. J Clin Sleep Med. 2025 May 1;21(5):757-764. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.11544. PMID: 39745443; PMCID: PMC12048332.
- Sleep disturbance occurs in up to 80% of children with PANS.
- Study compared 69 PANS patients to 44 age- and sex-matched controls using polysomnography.
- REM atonia index (RAI) was significantly lower in PANS patients.
- 25 of 57 PANS patients had abnormally low RAI vs 1 of 43 controls.
- Normal age-related increase in REM atonia seen in controls was absent in PANS.
- Takeaway: Reduced REM atonia in PANS suggests brainstem dysfunction affecting REM sleep
Gabriella True
