What neurological condition involves physically moving while asleep, such as kicking or sleepwalking?

The condition where individuals physically move while asleep, such as kicking or sleepwalking, is known as REM behavior disorder. This disorder occurs during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, where typically the body's muscles are paralyzed to prevent individuals from acting out their dreams. However, in REM behavior disorder, this paralysis is not present, allowing the person to move, often in violent or disorderly ways, reflecting the content of their dreams. This can lead to injuries for both the person asleep and their sleeping partner.

In contrast, narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks, but it does not involve physical movement during sleep. Insomnia refers to difficulty falling or staying asleep, rather than active movements during sleep. Sleep apnea is a condition marked by interruptions in breathing during sleep, causing disturbances but not specifically involving movement. Thus, the distinctive feature of moving during sleep aligns specifically with REM behavior disorder.