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Sleep-Related Movement Disorders: Hypnic Jerks

Current Sleep Medicine Reports volume 4, pages 19–27 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Hypnic jerks represent a benign physiological phenomenon of sleep, which must be differentiated from other sleep-related movement disorders and epilepsy. A comprehensive review of hypnic jerks is presented with emphasis on recognition, physiology, evaluation, and treatment.

Recent Findings

The recent edition of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-3) has classified hypnic jerks as a sleep-related movement disorder under the subheading isolated symptoms and normal variants. Although generally benign, there have been increasing reports of excessive hypnic jerks in neurological disorders such as Parkinsonism, migraine, and brainstem lesions and children with neurologic disorders. Recent research identifying changes in the polysomnogram has led to a better understanding of the physiology of hypnic jerks. A variety of different motor patterns have been described; however, the origin and physiology of hypnic jerks remain enigmatic.

Summary

Hypnic jerks represent a fascinating phenomenon of sleep; however, additional studies are needed to clarify their physiology and origin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada

    Robyn Whitney & Shelly K. Weiss

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  1. Robyn Whitney
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  2. Shelly K. Weiss
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Correspondence to Shelly K. Weiss.

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Robyn Whitney and Shelly K. Weiss declare no conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Sleep Movement Disorders

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Cite this article

Whitney, R., Weiss, S.K. Sleep-Related Movement Disorders: Hypnic Jerks. Curr Sleep Medicine Rep 4, 19–27 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40675-018-0104-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40675-018-0104-9

Keywords

  • Hypnic jerks
  • Sleep starts
  • Hypnagogic jerks
  • Sleep-related movement disorders
  • Myoclonus
  • Physiology