Sleep Physiology and Disorders

Question 1

Sleep is a state of unconsciousness. True/False?

Answer 1

False

Can respond when stimulated

Question 2

What are the key differences between REM and non-REM sleep?

Answer 2

Non-REM ‘not late’: start of night, non-narrative images, partially relaxed muscles, reduced blood flow
REM: end of night, narrative dreaming, atonic muscles, increased blood flow

Question 3

Which sleep is essential for survival - REM or non-REM?

Answer 3

Non-REM sleep

Enables cortex to recover after busy day

Question 4

REM sleep is more common in which age group? Why?

Answer 4

Neonates and young children

Important in early brain development

Question 5

According to circadian rhythm, at what times do we get most sleepy?

Answer 5

4am

2pm

Question 6

What is a zeitgaber?

Answer 6

Exogenous cues that can influence the timing of our body clock e.g. temperature, drinking, social patterns, exercise, LIGHT

Question 7

How many hours of sleep is recommended?

Answer 7

7-7.5 hours

Question 8

A mid-afternoon nap of 15 minutes is equivalent to __ mins of overnight sleep

Answer 8

A mid-afternoon nap of 15 minutes is equivalent to 90 mins of overnight sleep

Question 9

List prefrontal effects of lack of sleep

Answer 9

Irritability
Hallucinations
Visual illusions
Microsleeps and concentration lapses

Question 10

Well-rehearsed tasks can be performed effectively even with lack of sleep. True/False?

Answer 10

True

Alertness is compromised however

Question 11

What is narcolepsy?

Answer 11

Sudden “sleep seizure”

Question 12

List clinical features of narcolepsy

Answer 12

Daytime sleepiness
Involuntary somnolence
Cataplexy
Hallucinations (occuring at sleep onset)
Sleep paralysis

Question 13

List investigations for narcolepsy

Answer 13

Overnight polysomnography: EEG, nasal/jaw sensor
Multiple sleep latency test
Lumbar puncture for low levels of CSF hypocretin

Question 14

What are the differences on EEG between non-REM and REM sleep?

Answer 14

NREM: Rhythmic EEG activity
REM: Fast EEG activity

Question 15

What is circadian rhythm important for?

Answer 15

Sleep-wake cycle
Appetite
Harmone secretion
Body temperature
Alertness

Question 16

How long roughly is circadian rhythm?

Answer 16

25 hours

Question 17

Cell division peaks during sleep. True/ False?

Answer 17

True

Skin mitosis peaks during sleep

Question 18

Sleep helps with muscle recovery. True/ False?

Answer 18

False

It helps with tissue repair

Question 19

Sleep deprivation mainly effects which area of the brain?

Answer 19

Prefrontal area

Question 20

What is cataplexy?

Answer 20

Loss of muscle tone, triggered by emotion

Question 21

When is the onset of narcolepsy classicaly?

Answer 21

Begins as a teenager

Question 22

What is ‘sleep latency’?

Answer 22

1st signs of sleep

Question 23

What are the features of a non-REM parasomnia?

Answer 23

Confusional arousals
Sleep walking
Sleep terros and paralysis
Bruxism (grinding teeth)
Restless legs/ Periodic leg movement disorder
Dissociation seizures

Question 24

What are the features of a REM parasomnia?

Answer 24

Dreaming
Simpler behaviour
Typically occur in the last 1/3 of night

Question 25

What type of parasomnia typically precedes Parkinson’s Disease?

Answer 25

REM parasomnia