Several studies conducted in patients with schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress disorder, delirium tremens and sleep deprivation have put into light disturbances in sleep architecture and cerebral neurotransmission. In addition, clinical practice has emphasized the role played by the sleep deficit in triggering psychotic episodes in vulnerable individuals.The paper focuses on the role played by sleep disturbances in the etiopathogeny of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders or organic states accompanied by perception disturbances.

psychiatric disorders and organic states which share the presence of perception disturbances such as hallucinations, flash-backs, oniroid symptoms have been selected. Sleep disturbances that accompany these nosologic entities have been analyzed in correlation with biochemical changes in cerebral neurotransmission and with the effects of psychotropic drugs and of psychiatric co-morbidity.

disturbances in sleep architecture and duration represent an important link in the etiopathogeny of psychotic symptoms. These disturbances could be correlated with disturbances in cerebral neurotransmitters implicated in the pathogeny of psychosis (dopamine, serototnine, GABA).

sleep disturbances do not have to be regarded as an epiphenomenon; instead, they are an important link in the etiopathogeny of psychotic episodes. Keeping this in mind would play an important role in patient psycho-education aiming to prevent recurrences, and in scientific research oriented towards the development of new antipsychotic molecules.