DAY 3: HYPERSOMNIA I DRIVING Flashcards
What is the Flip-flop model in the context of sleep-wake control?
The Flip-flop model proposes that wake- and sleep-promoting neurons in the brain are mutually inhibitory, creating a switch-like behavior similar to a flip-flop switch. This model helps explain the transitions between wakefulness and sleep states.
What is the purpose of the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)?
The MSLT is used to measure the extent of daytime sleepiness and how quickly REM sleep begins. It involves giving the individual 4-5 opportunities to nap every two hours during normal wake times.
What are the main differences between Narcolepsy Type I and Narcolepsy Type II?
Narcolepsy Type I is characterized by the presence of cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone), hypocretin deficiency, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep abnormalities. Narcolepsy Type II lacks cataplexy but shares other symptoms with Type I.
What is the purpose of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)?
The ESS is a self-administered questionnaire used to assess an individual’s level of daytime sleepiness. It helps evaluate the severity of excessive daytime sleepiness, a common symptom in various sleep disorders.
What are sleep spindles, and when do they typically occur during sleep?
Sleep spindles are brief bursts of brain activity that occur during stage 2 of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. They are characterized by distinctive waveforms on an electroencephalogram (EEG) recording and play a role in sleep maintenance and memory consolidation.
What brain region is important for sleep, and how is it involved in sleep-wake regulation?
The ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO) is an important brain region involved in sleep regulation. It promotes sleep onset and maintains sleep, contributing to sleep-wake cycles and sleep homeostasis.
What neurotransmitter is responsible for keeping us awake, and what role does it play in sleep-wake regulation?
Histamine is the neurotransmitter responsible for keeping us awake. It is involved in promoting wakefulness and alertness and plays a significant role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.
What is the purpose of the Vigilance Test Options, such as the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) and the Sustained Attention to Response Task?
Vigilance Test Options are used to assess an individual’s sustained attention and responsiveness over a period of time. These tasks help measure cognitive performance and alertness, which are important factors in understanding sleep-related disorders and daytime sleepiness.
How is sleep disruption linked to impaired glymphatic clearance, and what role does the glymphatic system play in the brain?
Sleep disruption can impact the glymphatic system, the brain’s metabolic waste removal system. The glymphatic system relies on the flow of cerebrospinal fluid to flush out toxins and accumulated waste, including substances like amyloid-beta. Impaired glymphatic clearance may contribute to the development of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
What is the role of the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO) in sleep-wake regulation?
The ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO) is an essential brain region involved in promoting sleep and maintaining sleep states. It acts as a sleep-promoting center, helping to initiate and sustain periods of sleep.
What are the characteristics of sleep spindles in the brain, and during which sleep stage do they occur?
Sleep spindles are brief bursts of brain activity characterized by a sudden increase in brain wave frequency. They typically occur during stage 2 of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and last for about 0.5 to 3 seconds.
How is the synaptic homeostasis hypothesis related to sleep and its impact on the brain?
The synaptic homeostasis hypothesis suggests that sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of synaptic connections in the brain. During sleep, the brain undergoes processes that help consolidate memories and remove unnecessary synaptic connections, optimizing brain function for the next day.
What are the red flags associated with narcolepsy?
The red flags associated with narcolepsy include young age, rapid weight gain, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations.
What is Disturbed Nocturnal Sleep (DNS) in the context of sleep disorders?
Disturbed Nocturnal Sleep refers to disrupted or fragmented nighttime sleep, characterized by frequent awakenings, difficulties maintaining continuous sleep, or a sense of restless sleep.
What is a Sleep-Onset REM Period (SOREMP), and which sleep disorder is it most commonly associated with?
A Sleep-Onset REM Period (SOREMP) is the occurrence of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep shortly after falling asleep. It is most commonly associated with narcolepsy, particularly Narcolepsy Type I.
