EEG, Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Flashcards
Why does sleep occur?
Due to inhibitory processes that originate in the pons
What does sleep do?
Dampens down the activity of the cortex
Puts us into a temporary state of unawareness
Activity of sleep originates where?
Reticular formation of the brainstem
Many neurones within the reticular formation are what?
Serotonergic
What is serotonin a precursor for?
Melatonin
What is the level of unconsciousness related to?
The state of unawareness
Definition of asleep
State of unconsciousness from which individual can be aroused by normal stimuli, light, touch, sound etc
Definition of a coma
State of unconsciousness from which individual cannot be aroused and does not respond to stimuli
What is involved in the induction of sleep?
Hypothalamus and its suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN)
What does the SCN demonstrate?
Approx. 24 hr circadian rhythm
What would damage to the SCN cause?
Disruption to the sleep wake cycle
What does activity in the SCN cause?
Release of melatonin from the pineal gland - corresponding with the feeling of sleepiness
When is more melatonin produced?
Hours of darkness
What is required for wakefulness? Where is this produced?
Orexin/hypocretin
Released by hypothalamus
What does defective orexin signalling cause?
Narcolepsy
Pathology of narcolepsy
Hypocretin cells die
What does EEG stand for?
Electroencephalogram
What do EEGs show?
The electrical activity of the brain
How can EEG waves be analysed?
By
- amplitude
- frequency
What is the amplitude?
The size of the wave (ranges from 0-200Uv)
What is the frequency?
The number of waves per second (ranges from 1-50+)
In general, frequency of the waves increases with what?
Neuronal excitation
What are very long wavelengths associated with?
Deep surgical anaesthesia
When get more and more awake, what happens to the waves on EEG?
Get shorter and shorter
What waves on an EEG do epileptic seizures have?
Very short waves that are close together
4 main types of wave pattern seen on EEG
Alpha
Beta
Theta
Delta
Features of the EEG in the relaxed, awake state. What kind of waves are these?
High frequency
High amplitude waves
ALPHA WAVES
What waves are seen in the alert, awake state on the EEG?
B waves
Features of B waves
Higher frequency than A waves
Low amplitude
Asynchronous