REM sleep latency is a key objective measure in polysomnography, defined as the time interval, in minutes, elapsed from the initiation of sleep to the first occurrence of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. This metric serves as a vital clinical indicator of the efficiency and temporal organization of the sleep architecture. An abnormally short REM latency is a classic diagnostic marker for specific neurological conditions, such as narcolepsy, and can also be observed in severe depressive disorders, reflecting a profound disruption in sleep regulation.
Origin
The term is derived from the distinct stage of sleep, “REM,” characterized by rapid eye movements and a state of brain activity resembling wakefulness, combined with “latency,” a term indicating the period of delay before a physiological response. It is a standardized metric used in sleep medicine to objectively assess the timing of sleep stage transitions.
Mechanism
The onset of REM sleep is tightly regulated by a complex neurochemical interplay between cholinergic and monoaminergic neuronal populations in the brainstem and forebrain. Hormonal and circadian signals, particularly those from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, significantly modulate these neurochemical switches. A pathologically short latency suggests a failure of the monoaminergic system to adequately suppress the REM-on neurons during the initial phases of non-REM sleep, allowing for a premature entry into the REM state.
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