Neurologic Aspects of Sleep Medicine

Sleep disorders are common in patients with neurologic disorders. Research has demonstrated links between neurologic and sleep disorders, showing that sleep disruption can serve as a risk factor for future development or worsening of neurological disorders. An understanding of the diagnostic assessment, common comorbidities, and treatment options can impact overall health outcomes. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the link between neurology and sleep by presenting the electophysiologic features of sleep architecture, the key neuroanatomic regions involved in the physiology of sleep, and an understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved. The clinical features and diagnostic tests that determine the presence and severity of the sleep disorders are discussed. Treatment of sleep disorders is rapidly changing with new and effective behavioral, pharmacologic, and device strategies that are outlined in this chapter.