Sleep & Biological Rythyms Flashcards
Beta
Irregular pattern that occurs during alert attentiveness and active thinking (arousal)
Theta
Intermittent slow wave pattern during slow wave and REM sleep
Delta
Regular, synchronous pattern during deepest stage of slow wave sleep
Stage 1
Transition from wakefulness to sleep (~10 minutes)
Stage 2
Sleep characterized by irregular wave patterns of theta activity, sleep spindles, and K complexes (~15 minutes)
Stage 3 and 4
Slow wave sleep; increased delta activity during this deepest sleep
REM sleep
Increased irregular wave activity during which dreaming occurs (characterized by muscle paralysis and rapid eye movements)
Adenosine
Neuromodulator produced as a result of metabolism of glycogen (brains fuel), has inhibitory effects, causing an increase in delta waves and ultimately sleep, blocked by caffeine
Acetylcholine
Increases cortical activity; facilitates REM sleep
Norepinephrine
Promotes arousal; plays a role in controlling REM sleep
Serotonin
Increases cortical activity and locomotion
Histamine
Promotes wakefulness; antihistamine medications can create drowsiness
Orexin (hypocretin)
Excitatory, promotes wakefulness; active during wakefulness, inactive during sleep
Ventrolateral Preoptic Area (vIPOA)
Key role in inducing sleep; activity of these neurons causes inhibition of areas in brain responsible for cortical activity and arousal
Insomnia
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep resulting in feelings of being unrested
