Functions Of Sleep

Question 1

Functions of slow wave: restorative process

Answer 1

Slow wave sleeps gets rid of adenosine

No exercise no less sleep (Ryback and Lewis 1971)

Question 2

Functions of slow wave: thermoregulatory

Answer 2

Horne and Harley (1989) using a hair dryer increases slow wave sleep
Moriarty et al (1993) rats in warm chambers exhibit more slow wave activity

Question 3

Slow wave sleep and declarative memory

Answer 3

Tucker at al 2006 - pts who did declarative task showed improvement after nap with slow wave sleep
Peigneux - activity in hippocampus when learnings routes and activity during slow wave sleep

Question 4

Functions of REM sleep

Answer 4

Importance in brain development
Importance in learning

REM sleep not essential
Lavie et al 1984 patient injured by shrapnel engaged in no REM sleep became a lawyer
Tricyclics antidepressant drugs block REM but patients suffer no side effects

Question 5

Sleep disorders

Answer 5

Insomnia
Drug dependence insomnia
Sleep apnea
Nocturnal myoclonus twitching in sleep
Restless legs - both often treated with benzodiazepines
Hypersomnia disorders of excessive sleep or sleepiness
Narcolepsy
Cataplexy - loss of muscle tone while awake

Question 6

Early theories

Answer 6

Adaptive theory Webb (1982) - sleep keeps animals out of harms way when there is nothing important to do
Evidence - sleep deprivation studies
Evidence against- dolphin studies