PhD researcher Jaap van der Aar combines specialized AI models with data from sensors such as smartwatches, creating more accessible and precise ways to monitor and ultimately diagnose rare sleep disorders. Jaap van der Aarâs mission over the past four years has been to combine unobtrusive wearables with specialized AI to improve how these conditions are monitored. One sleep disorder that Van der Aar has focused on is REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), aiming to give clinicians better tools to recognize and treat this rare condition.
âNightswimming deserves a quiet nightâ goes the opening line of the1993 song by American alternative rock band R.E.M. While night swimming may not be for everyone, a quiet nightâs sleep is one thing people value.
Sleep is not uniform though, and there are different sleep stages during a sleep cycle. One sleep stage of this cycle is REM sleep, short for Rapid Eye Movement. This is the sleep stage where vivid dreams take place.
REM sleep behavior disorder
An important aspect of REM is that oneâs muscles are temporarily paralyzed (known as muscle atonia), which prevents someone from acting out their dreams, such as running a marathon or swimming across an ocean. However, when people suffer from REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) their muscles remain active.
âRBD is a sleep disorder where someone acts out their vivid dreams,â says Jaap van der Aar. âThis happens because their muscles arenât paralyzed, unlike in normal REM, and can lead to someone kicking, talking, and punching in their sleep.â
More information
Check the website.Â