Sexsomnia: it’s more common than you think

The description is eye-opening, but even more shocking is how often sexsomnia occurs. New research suggests nearly eight percent of patients at sleep disorder clinics have Sexsomnia. The abstract (#252) will be displayed later this morning at SLEEP 2010.

The prevalence of sexsomnia for men, at 11 percent, was nearly three times higher in than for women.

The study is the first to examine the frequency of sexsomnia. The authors of the study stress the outcome only reflects patients at sleep clinics. They estimate the rate would be much lower among the general population.

Researchers reviewed a questionnaire filled out by 832 patients who were evaluated at sleep disorders clinics.

Only 4 patients complained of sexsomnia during a consultation with sleep specialists. However, 63 of the 832 reported the key symptoms of sexsomnia.

The parasomnia happens when a person unknowingly engages in sexual activity while asleep. According to the The International Classification of Sleep Disorder, Second Edition, published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine sexsomnia predominantly occurs during confusional arousals and sleepwalking episodes.

You can find the abstract in the SLEEP 2010 supplement, available for download as a pdf.

Blogger is back online, SLEEP 2010 updates to resume

Due to technical problems on our host site Blogger's end, we've been unable to update the Sleep Education blog as promised until now. We've been providing updates from SLEEP 2010 via Twitter and on Sleepeducation.com. Because Google has fixed the problem look for updates from now until Wednesday, the end of the annual meeting.

Plenary session to kick off SLEEP 2010 at 8 a.m.

SLEEP 2010 will begin in about three hours at 8 a.m. Central Time at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in downtown San Antonio. Look for live coverage all day right here at the Sleepeducation Blog.

Today's plenary session features a keynote address by Derk-Jan Dijk, PhD, a professor of sleep and physiology at the University of Surrey in Guildford, England and the director of the Surrey Sleep Research Centre. Dr. Dijk is an expert in human sleep and biological rhythms, circadian rhythm disorders and age-related changes in sleep timing, structure and performance. His address is titled “Sleep and Circadian Rhythms – Closer Together Again.”

After the Plenary Session wraps up at 10:15 a.m. the convention floor opens up for abstract viewing. We're providing full coverage of standout abstracts on display throughout the day on the Sleepeducation Blog. We're also on twitter providing up-to-the-minute coverage. Follow us at twitter.com/AASMOrg

New research developments on display at SLEEP 2010

Beginning on Monday, June 7, more than 1,100 research abstracts will be presented during the scientific program at, showcasing the latest findings in sleep research from around the world.

The majority of the abstracts will be on display as poster presentations from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Central Time, Monday, June 7 and 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 8 and Wednesday, June 10. Each poster will be displayed for one day only. Abstract authors will be available at their posters to discuss their findings with meeting attendees.

Select abstracts will be presented as brief oral presentations during scheduled sessions from Monday, June 7, to Wednesday, June 9. Sessions consist of one to four abstract presentations during a one to two hour session. Each oral presentation is about 10 minutes long followed by questions from the audience.

The abstracts being presented at SLEEP 2010 were recently published in a special supplement of the journal SLEEP. You can download the abstract supplement as a 11 MB file in PDF format.SLEEP 2010 will begin with the plenary session from 8 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Central Time on Monday.

Look for live updates to be posted to the Sleep Education blog until the meeting ends on Wednesday, June 9.

Invited lecturers headline SLEEP 2010's scientific program

At SLEEP 2010 from Monday, June 7, to Wednesday, June 9, six experts in sleep science and sleep medicine will present their recent research findings as invited lectures. Each presentation will take place from 1:45 to 2:45 Central Time on the Monday and 1:30 to 2:30 on Tuesday and Wednesday as scheduled:

Monday, June 7

“Infant and Toddler Sleep Disturbance: Helping Families Get a Good Nights Sleep” by Jodi Mindell, PhD

“The Role of Sleep in Brain Function: Memory and Emotion” by Matthew Walker, PhD

Tuesday, June 8

“Sleep and Brain Plasticity: Past, Present and Future” by Marcos Frank, PhD

“What it Comes to Sleep, Are Women Really so Different from Men?” by Kathryn Lee, PhD, RN

Wednesday, June 9

“Brain Structure and Function in Sleep Pathophysiology” by Ronald Harper, PhD

“REM Sleep Behavior Disorder as a Neurodegenerative Disorder” by Jacques Montplaisir, MD, PhD