What causes REM sleep behavior disorder?
At this time the accurate cause of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder is unknown, although the disorder may be associated with other degenerative neurological conditions such as Parkinson disease, multisystem atrophy, diffuse Lewy body dementia, and Shy-Drager syndrome. It is estimated that 55% of persons with the disorder, the cause is unknown, and in 45%, the cause is associated with alcohol or sedative-hypnotic withdrawal, tricyclic antidepressant (such as imipramine), or serotonin reuptake inhibitor use (such as fluoxetine, sertraline, or paroxetine) or other types of antidepressants (mirtazapine). How is it treated? Medication can help to treat REM Sleep Behavior Disorder such as Clonazepam (Klonopin). Clonazepam helps to relieve symptoms in nearly 90% of patients with little evidence of tolerance or abuse. There is normally a response to the medication during the first week, often on the first night. The initial dose is 0.5 mg at bedtime, with some persons requiring a rapid increase to
