Abstract
Neurophysiological and neurochemical mechanisms underlying mental retardation and behavioral and emotional problems in the fragile X (fraX) syndrome are still poorly understood. In this study, the authors evaluated the sleep characteristics of a group of 9 fraX boys in order to obtain information on their neurophysiological mechanisms. A reduction in total sleep time and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was found in the fraX patients together with an increase in the first REM latency. Slow-wave sleep was found to be increased. Moreover, an increase in twitch movements was also observed during REM sleep. A dysregulation of the cholinergic-monoaminergic system during sleep is hypothesized to occur in the fraX syndrome.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 218-222 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Developmental Brain Dysfunction |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 4-6 |
Publication status | Published - 1995 |
Keywords
- fragile X syndrome
- mental retardation
- neurophysiology
- sleep
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neuroscience(all)