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NSCI 201 > Sleep > Flashcards

Sleep Flashcards

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1
Q

what are endogenous circadian rhythms

A

internal mechanisms that operate on an approx. 24 hr- cycle

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2
Q

T/F: humans reset and synchronize their circadian rhythms everyday

A

True

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3
Q

what are zeitgebers

A

stimulus that resets the circadian rhythms (sunlight, exercise, meals, arousal, temperature, tides)

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4
Q

how is out circadian rhythm affected when travelling west vs east

A

Travelling west phase-delays our rhythm
Travelling east phase-advances our circadian rhythm (more difficult)

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5
Q

why does working at night not reliably change the circadian rhythm

A

Because the stress hormones are higher

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6
Q

How do wakefulness change with age

A

Young children are morning people (waking earlier)
adolescents are often night people (sleeping later)
adults depends on genetics and environment

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7
Q

what are the main mechanisms of the biological clock

A

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
Genes that produce certain proteins
melatonin

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8
Q

Where is the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus located

A

above the optic nerve and part of the hypothalamus

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9
Q

What happens when the SCN is damaged

A

less consistent body rhythms and no longer synchronized to environmental patterns

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10
Q

What are the main functions of the SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus)

A

main control centre of the circadian rhythm (central pacemaker) of sleep and temperature
(really active in the day)

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11
Q

How are the neurons in the SCN unique and maintain the circadian rhythm

A

keeps their own rhythm and fires signals at their own rhythm.

extracted cells raised in culture produce action potential in a rhythmic pattern

SCN cells communicate with each other to sharpen the circadian rhytm

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12
Q

What is the retinohypothalamic path and what are its functions

A

a small branch of optic nerve and ganglion cells from the retina where it uses light to reset the SCN (photosensitive so can synchronize even tho you can’t see)

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13
Q

What photopigment does the retinohypothalamic path use to react to light

A

Melanopsin (does not require rods and cones)

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14
Q

describe the model for circadian timing system and pacemaking

A

light -> retina -> retinohypothalamic tract -> SCN pacemakers -> drives slave oscillators

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15
Q

what are slave oscillators

A

uses information from SCN to determine when to execute behaviours

each controls the rhythmic occurrence of one behaviour (body temp, hunger….)

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16
Q

what can SCN use to drive Slave oscillators

A

hormones, proteins, neurotransmitters

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17
Q

what are the two genes and corresponding proteins responsible for generating the circadian rhythms

A

Period: produces proteins PER
and
Timeless: produce proteins TIM
each expressed only in certain parts of the day

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18
Q

What do PER and TIM do

A

increase the activity of certain kinds of neurons in the SCN that regulate sleep and wake

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19
Q

how can mutations in PER affect the circadian rhythm

A

results in odd circadian rhythm or decreased alertness if deprived of a good nights sleep

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20
Q

Describe the interaction of mRNA with PER and TIM and its activity thoughout the day

A

PER and TIM slows down the SCN
during the day cells are actively making PER and TIM while the body is active, light degrade PER and TIM

during darker periods of the day PER and TIM concentration goes up and SCN slows down which activates the pineal gland producing more melatonin, cells relax and you get sleepy

as you are close to waking PER and TIM begin to diminish and degrade while asleep

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21
Q

What structure produces Melatonin and where is it located

A

Pineal Gland (slave oscillator)
posterior to the thalamus

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22
Q

how does the SCN affect the pineal gland

A

SCN inhibits the pineal gland reducing production of melatonin increasing wakefulness

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23
Q

why does phone screen keep you awake

A

ganglion cells are most sensitive to white and blue light, phone screen shines blue light which activates the ganglion cells and activates the SCN and keeps you awake

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24
Q

T/F the brain is inactive while asleep

A

False (its decrease in activity an decrease response to stimuli)

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25
Describe a coma and causes of it
extended period of unconsciousness charactered by low brain activity that remains fairly steady, little response to stimuli, most commonly caused by brain injury
26
Describe a vegetative state
person alternates between periods of sleep and moderate arousal with not awareness of surrounding, some autonomic arousal to pain stimuli no purposeful activity/response to speech
27
Describe a minimally conscious state
a stage high than a vegetative state with occasional brief periods of purposeful action and limited speech comprehension
28
describe brain death
no sign of brain activity and no response to stimuli
29
What does an EEG do
allows researchers to compare bulk cortical activity at different times during sleep
30
What is a polysomnograph
combination of an EEG and eye-movement records
31
What is electromyogram
measures muscle movements and tone
32
Describe the 4 brain waves and what stages of wakefulness they are
Alpha Waves 8-12Hz relaxed and not asleep not intellectually engaged Beta Waves 12 - 30Hz intellectually engaged (frontal and memory lobes are active) Theta Waves 4-8Hz stage 1 or nREM 1 sleep slow waves with occasional spikes and can be poked awake Delta Waves 1-4Hz nREM 3and nREM4 sleep very slow brain activity
33
describe the waking state and stage 1 of sleep using waves, eye movement and muscle movement
begins with beta waves (learning) or alpha (relaxed, awake) eye movement start slowing down, occasional muscle movements stage 1 of sleep theta waves - irregular, jagged, low voltage waves
34
describe stage 2 of sleep using waves, eye movement and muscle movement
stage 2 slower theta waves - sleep spindles of 12 - 14 Hz during a first of at least half a second with a k complex which is a sharp wave associated with temporary inhibition of neuronal firing
35
describe stage 3 and 4 of sleep using waves, eye movement and muscle movement
stage 3 delta waves begin - slow wave sleep which is hard to wake up and where most of repair happens , large amplitude waves slowing heart rate, breathing rate, brain activity, high synchronized neuronal activity stage 4 more delta wave presence beings with growth hormone release still image dreams sometimes nightmares
36
describe paradoxical or REM sleep using waves, eye movement and muscle movement
rapid eye movement sleep, deep sleep, EEG waves are irregular, low-voltage, fast (like that and alpha) muscle atonia (no movement, control), dreams occur
37
in What order of stages do people fall asleep in
progress through stages 1, 2, 3, 4 about after an hour experience the first REM episode and then the sequence is less organized and shows REM episode every 90 minutes stages 3 and 4 earlier in the night Longer REM as night progresses brief waking period in the middle of the night
38
where is the reticular formation located
part of the midbrain extending from medulla to forebrain
39
what is the pontomesencephalon and where is it located
part of the reticular formation in the midbrain, contributes to cortical arousal (excitatory) releases glutamate and ACh Axons
40
where does Glutamate and ACh Axons extend to and what do they release
extends to the hypothalamus, thalamus, and basal forebrain, releasing acetylcholine, glutamate, or dopamine
41
what happens when you stimulate the pontomesencephalon
awakens sleeping individuals and increases alertness in those already awake
42
what would damage to the RF do
cause the person unable to wake up
43
what is the Locus Coeruleus and where is it located
a small structure in the pons its axons release norepinephrine(adrenaline) arouses areas of the cortex and increases wakefulness dormant while asleep activates the cortex, hypothalamus and thalamus
44
how does the hypothalamus contribute to wakefulness
contains neurons that release histamines producing widespread excitatory effects throughout brain lateral and posterior nuclei of hypothalamus release orexin
45
what does orexin do
peptide neurotransmitter sometimes called hypocretin needed to stay awake (does not wake you up) released into the basal forebrain (anterior and dorsal to hypothalamus) to stimulate neurons responsible for wakefulness and arousal
46
What neurotransmitter does the basal forebrain release
GABA and other axons release acetylcholine which is excitatory and increases arousal
47
what is the role of GABA
inhibitory neurotransmitter essential for sleep, hyperpolarizes neurons, more GABA is produced as you sleep decreases temperature and metabolic rate hyper polarizes the thalamus (makes it so you can respond to senses) decreases stimulation of neurons
48
what is the brain activity like during REM sleep
activity increase in pons, limbic system and visual cortex activity decreases in motor cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (self-awareness) neural activity is detected first in the pons then in the lateral geniculate of hypothalamus and then the occipital cortex
49
how does acetylcholine differ in other structure vs pons
in most structure it promotes wakefulness in the pons it promotes REM
50
what happens when the Raphe Nucleus secretes serotonin
it terminates Rem
51
what does REM deprivation result in
a high density PGO waves during uninterrupted sleep (pons, geniculate, occipital cortex)
52
how does the body prevent motor movement during REM
cells in pons send GABA to spinal cord and inhibits the motor neurons
53
describe sleepwalking/somnambulism and its affects on the brain
awake in the motor cortex but deep sleep in others happens in stage 3 and 4 SWS
54
describe Lucid dreaming and its affects on the brain
dreaming but aware of being asleep and dreaming: high activity in frontal and temporal Cortex (important in self awareness)
55
describe sleep paralysis and its affects on the brain
the pons remaining in REM while other brain areas wake up: causes the inability to move feels hard of breathing, and heavy weight on chest
56
describe insomnia and its affects on the brain
sleep disorder associated with lack of sleep -> hard time staying and falling asleep caused by noise stress, pain, diet, medication, epilepsy, Parkinson's, depression, anxiety, or dependence on pills alcohol and shifts in circadian rhythm
57
why is cannabis bad for sleep
marajuna hangover can be joyful at first but can induce insomnia later
58
describe sleep apnea and its affects on the brain
inability to breathe while asleep for prolonged period of time can cause sleepiness during the day, impaired attentions, depression, heart problems causes can be genetic, hormonal, old age, obesity, deterioration of the brain mechanism that control breathing
59
describe Narcolepsy and its affects on the brain
frequent periods of sleepiness where you just fall asleep whenever occasional cataplexy (loss of muscle tone) triggered by strong emotions sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations: dreamlike experiences seems to be genetic caused by lack of hypothalamic cells that produce and release orexin stimulant drug like Ritalin increasing wakefulness and enhancing dopamine and norepinephrine
60
describe periodic limb movement disorders and its affects on the brain
repeated involuntary movement of legs and arms through the night leg kicks once every 20-30 seconds for periods of minutes to hours they are aware of doing it and can lead to insomnia occurs during nREM
61
describe REM behaviour disorder and its affects on the brain
vigorous movement during REM sleep usually acting out dreams motor neurons haven't shutdown yet, inadequate GABA and other neurotransmitters ay be responsible give SSRI's could see briefly during development
62
describe Night Terrors and its affects on the brain
intense anxiety from which a person awakes screaming in terror occurs in nREM most common in children (developmental) happens in same period of night should go away when they grow older
63
describe sleep walking and its affects on the brain
runs in families mostly occurs in young children, and in stage 3/4 sleep not associated with dreaming
64
what happens during animal hibernation
decrease in body temp to only slightly above that of environment heart rate and brain activity drop to almost nothing neuron cell bodies shrink and dendrites lose almost a fourth of their branches

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