Lucid dreams, an atypical sleep disturbance in anterior and mediodorsal thalamic strokes

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2015 Nov;171(11):768-72. doi: 10.1016/j.neurol.2015.08.005. Epub 2015 Oct 20.

Abstract

Background: Cognitive, affective, and behavioural disturbances are commonly reported following thalamic strokes. Conversely, sleep disorders are rarely reported in this context.

Observations: Herein, we report the cases of two young patients admitted for an ischemic stroke located in the territories of the left pre-mammillary and paramedian arteries. Together with aphasia, memory complaint, impaired attention and executive functions, they reported lucid dreams with catastrophic content or conflicting situations.

Conclusion: Lucid dreams are an atypical presentation in thalamic strokes. These cases enlarge the clinical spectrum of sleep-wake disturbances potentially observed after an acute cerebrovascular event.

Keywords: Cortico-thalamo-limbic network; Infarctus thalamique; Lucid dreams; Réseau cortico-thalamo-limbique; Rêves lucides; Sleep-wake disturbances; Thalamic stroke; Troubles du cycle veille–sommeil.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention
  • Cerebral Arteries / pathology
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Cognition Disorders / psychology
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Dreams / psychology*
  • Executive Function
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / etiology*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / pathology*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / psychology
  • Stroke / complications*
  • Stroke / pathology*
  • Stroke / psychology
  • Thalamic Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Thalamic Diseases / psychology