Benzo's and sleep

[genswim24]

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In the 2010 FA, it says that benzo shorten stage 4 sleep and thus are useful in night terrors and sleepwalking (pg 64)

It later states that Benzo's decrease Rem Sleep, and are clinically useful for treating night terror and sleepwalking (pg 430).

Form searching the internet, it appears that the part about stage 4 is correct while the REM part is not. Does anyone know for sure? We didn't really get into sleep a whole lot in my classes.

Thanks

 

[MudPhudHopeful]

According to one of my neuro lectures on hypnotics, it said that benzos decrease stage 4 and REM sleep. I was able to corroborate this with Up To Date, although it said that the effect on REM sleep was slight.

 

[audereestfacere]

From my syllabus, benzos have little effect on REM. Barbs inhibit REM sleep. Benzos do help with night terrors / sleep walking because parasomnias typically occur in stage 4.

This is literally one of like 50 things I remember from med school. Can someone look at my post on the NBME thread and give some advice or feedback!

 

[IMnotgivingup!!]

in the 2011 FA (in the sleep section) p.62 it says that benzos (along with alcohol and barbs) are associated with reduced rem AND delta sleep

 

[genswim24]

Thanks everyone for the clarification