B8-Sleep and Biological Rhythms Flashcards
Electro-oculogram (EOG)
An electrical potential from the eyes, recorded by means of electrodes placed on the skin around them; detects eye movements
Electromyogram (EMG)
An electrical potential recorded from an electrode placed on our in the muscle
Alpha activity
Smooth electrical activity of 8-12 Hz recorded from the brain; generally associated with a state of relaxation
Beta activity
Regular electrical activity of 13-30 Hz recorded from the brain; generally associated with the state of arousal
Theta activity
EEG activity of 3.5-7.5 Hz that occurs intermittently during early stages of slow wave sleep and REM sleep
Delta activity
Regular synchronous electrical activity of less than 4 Hz recorded from the brain; occurs during the deepest stages of slow-wave sleep
Slow-wave sleep
Non-REM sleep, characterized by synchronized EEG activity during deeper stages
Down state
A period of inhibition during a slow oscillation during slow-wave sleep; neurons in the neocortex cortex are silent and resting
Up state
A period of excitation during a slow oscillation during slow wave sleep; neurons in the neocortex briefly fire at a high rate
REM sleep
The period of desynchronized EEG activity during sleep, at which time dreaming, rapid eye movements, and muscular paralysis occur; also called paradoxical sleep
Sleep apnea
Cessation of breathing while sleeping
Narcolepsy
Sleep disorder characterized by periods of irresistible sleep, attacks of cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations
Sleep attack
A symptom of narcolepsy; an irresistible urge to sleep during the day, after which the person awakens feeling refreshed
Cataplexy
A symptom of narcolepsy; complete paralysis that occurs during waking
Sleep paralysis
A symptom of narcolepsy; paralysis occurring just before a person falls asleep
Hypnagogic hallucination
A symptom of narcolepsy; vivid dreams that occur just before a person falls asleep; accompanied by sleep paralysis
Orexin
A peptide, also known as hypocretin, produced by neurons whose cell bodies are located in the hypothalamus; their destruction causes narcolepsy
REM sleep behavior disorder
A neurological disorder in which the person does not become paralyzed during REM sleep and thus acts out dreams
Sleep-related eating disorder
A disorder in which the person leaves his or her bed and seeks out and eats food while sleepwalking, usually without a memory for the episode the next day
Fatal familial insomnia
A fatal inherited disorder characterized by progressive insomnia
Rebound phenomenon
The increased frequency or intensity of a phenomenon after it has been temporarily suppressed; for example, the increase in REM sleep seen after a period of REM sleep deprivation
Adenosine
A neuro-modulator that is released by neurons engaging in high levels of metabolic activity; may play a primary role in the initiation of sleep
Locus coeruleus
A dark-colored group of noradrenergic cell bodies located in the pons near the rostral end of the floor of the fourth ventricle; involved in arousal and vigilance
Raphe nuclei
A group of nuclei located in the reticular formation of the medulla, pons, and midline; contain serotonergic neurons
