EEG and Sleep Flashcards
T/F: Melatonin synchronizes the hypothalamus to daylight
False — melatonin is released at nighttime (darkness) and is part of the signal that triggers the hypothalamic neurons that are active at dusk to fire
Which of the following brain regions is responsible for generating circadian rhythm?
A. Preoptic nucleus
B. Suprachiasmatic nucleus
C. Paraventricular nucleus
D. Arcuate nucleus
B. Suprachiasmatic nucleus
T/F: Neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus will continue to generate a circadian rhythm even if the nucleus is removed from the brain and placed on a petri dish with appropriate O2 and nutrient supplies
True - because circadian rhythm is generated genetically rather than in response to external day/night cycle
T/F: humans have a circadian rhythm that generates a 24 hr day even in the absence of light cues
False - in the absence of light cues, the human circadian rhythm is actually somewhat longer than 24 hours. The younger a person is, the longer their “day” is; for older people, the “day” is closer to 24 hrs, but still longer
Which of the following genes/gene products is required to produce the circadian rhythm in a normal person?
A. PER (period) B. Clock C. BMAL1 D. CRY (cryptochrome) E. All of the above
E. All of the above
Clock (CLK) — no circadian rhythm on its own
BMAL1 — increase at night
[CLK and BMAL1 increase transcription/translation of Period genes and cryptochrome genes; negative feedback loop results in circadian rhythm]
Entrainment of the genetically determined circadian rhythm: Light/dark information travels via the ____________ , a direct relay to the hypothalamus, and is completely separate from the visual tract
Information related to light is transmitted via the NT _________
Information related to darkness is transmitted via the NT _________
Retino-hypothalamic tract
Glutamate
Melatonin
Melatonin promotes sleep; how is melatonin itself controlled to be released at night?
Light/dark info is detected by melanopsin receptors which transmit signal via retino-hypothalamic tract to the SCN
During daylight, inputs from the RHT to the SCN inhibit the pineal gland, while at night the pineal gland is not inhibited and releases melatonin
The melatonin can act at 2 different receptors (MT1 and MT2). MT1 is associated with inhibition of neurons in the SCN that are active during the day, while MT2 works on the neurons of the SCN to activate those neurons that are active at dusk. If taken orally, the action on MT2 receptors is what advances the sleep cycle and is presumed to help alleviate jet lag
The pineal gland receives _____ innervation as its only input
Sympathetic
Which of the following genes/gene products has an intrinsic circadian rhythm to its transcription and translation?
A. Per (Period) B. Clock C. Cry (cryptochrome) D. BMAL1 E. All of the above
D. BMAL1
BMAL1 is translated and transcribed with an intrinsic circadian rhythm. Clock, Period, and cryptochrome derive their circadian rhythms based on BMAL1 and other feedback signals.
Release of melatonin in the human brain is inhibited by activity in the:
A. Optic nerve
B. Pineal gland
C. Arcuate nucleus
D. Retinohypothalamic tract
D. Retinohypothalamic tract
What NT is released by the retinohypothalamic tract?
A. NE
B. Glutamate
C. GABA
D. ACh
B. Glutamate
T/F: Alpha waves occur when you are alert and focused on a task
False; although alpha waves do occur while you are awake, they appear only when your eyes are closed
T/F: hypercapnia causes the EEG to slow and become lower voltage
True
Which of the following brain waves is associated with functional dissociation of the thalamus and cortex?
A. Delta
B. Theta
C. Beta
D. Gamma
A. Delta
Delta = largest and slowest of the waves on adult EEG; occur during deep sleep when thalamocortical neurons are strongly hyperpolarized leading to functional disconnection of the thalamus from the cortex
Which of the following is involved in frustration?
A. Gamma waves
B. Beta waves
C. Delta waves
D. Theta waves
D. Theta waves
Which of the following is involved in being alert and focused?
A. Gamma waves
B. Beta waves
C. Delta waves
D. Theta waves
B. Beta waves
Which of the following is involved in deep sleep?
A. Gamma waves
B. Beta waves
C. Delta waves
D. Theta waves
C. Delta waves
Which of the following is involved in planning a motor response?
A. Gamma waves
B. Beta waves
C. Delta waves
D. Theta waves
A. Gamma waves
The EEG changes with …
Degree of activity in the brain
Arousal/awareness
Sensory input
Most of the time there is no distinct pattern; clear “patterns” are often considered pathological
Characteristics of alpha waves
High frequency, low amplitude
Occur during quiet wakefulness (thinking) with EYES CLOSED
Most prevalent over OCCIPITAL cortex; Disappear during sleep
[Origin: requires connecton between thalamus and cortex; GABAergic neurons “force” coordination of neuronal activity]