Sleep

Question 1

Definition of sleep

Answer 1

A state of consciousness from which a person can be easily aroused.

Question 2

What are the arousal and sleep centres found in the brainstem known as ?

Answer 2

Reticular formation

Question 3

Which two areas are involved in the induction of sleep ?

Answer 3

Hypothalamus and the SCN

Question 4

What controls the release of Melatonin ?

Answer 4

Hypothalamus

Question 5

Where is Melatonin released from ?

Answer 5

Pineal gland

Question 6

What happens in the SCN when there is no light ?

Answer 6

The SCN’s activity is decreased and this increases Melatonin production inducing sleep.

Question 7

What happens in the SCN when there is light ?

Answer 7

The SCN’s activity is increased and this reduced the amount of Melatonin produced.

Question 8

Which neuropeptide is released to initiate wakefulness ?

Answer 8

Orexin

Question 9

Where is Orexin released from ?

Answer 9

Hypothalamus

Question 10

What affect does Serotonin cause ?

Answer 10

Thought to induce sleep as it is a precursor of Melatonin.

Question 11

What drugs inhibit sleep ?

Answer 11

Any that block Serotonin or damage the Serotonergic neurones.

Question 12

What is used to measure/record patterns in brain activity ?

Answer 12

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 13

What are the names of the 4 wave types ?

Answer 13

• Alpha
• Beta
• Theta
• Delta

Question 14

Which waves are seen in a relaxed awake state ?

Answer 14

Alpha - High frequency, high amplitude

Question 15

Which waves are seen in a alert awake state ?

Answer 15

Beta - High frequency, low amplitude

Question 16

Describe a Theta wave

Answer 16

Low frequency, variable amplitude

Question 17

Describe a Delta wave

Answer 17

Low frequency, high amplitude

Question 18

What is Somnambulism/Sleepwalking ?

Answer 18

A behavioural disorder that originates during deep sleep (Non - REM) and results in walking or performing other complex behaviours while asleep.

Question 19

How many stages does the sleep cycle have ?

Answer 19

4

Question 20

What is stage one ?

Answer 20

Theta waves - Low frequency high amplitude. People are easily aroused, slow eye movements.

Question 21

What is stage two ?

Answer 21

Theta waves - Low frequency, varied amplitude and sleep spindles are seen.

Question 22

What is stage three ?

Answer 22

Delta waves - Low frequency, high amplitude. Less sleep spindles seen.

Question 23

What is stage four ?

Answer 23

Delta waves - low frequency, high amplitude. Sleep talking and walking occurs in this stage.

Question 24

What stage order occurs during a typical sleep ?

Answer 24

1 to 4. Then from 4 to 2 and then onto REM.

Question 25

What happens during REM sleep ?

Answer 25

Dreaming

Question 26

Which waves does REM sleep replicate ?

Answer 26

B waves

Question 27

How long and often does REM occur ?

Answer 27

Occurs for 5-30 minutes at the end of every 90 minute cycle. Gets longer throughout the night.

Question 28

What occurs during REM sleep to the body ?

Answer 28

Descending inhibition

Question 29

What is REM sleep behavioural disorder ?

Answer 29

In some people descending inhibition doesn't occur and so they act out there dreams whilst in REM sleep.

Question 30

Which neurotransmitter is needed for REM sleep ?

Answer 30

Acetylcholine

Question 31

Why is sleep important ?

Answer 31

- Memory and learning - Conserving whole body energy - Clearing out waste products - Cognitive function

Question 32

What is insomnia ?

Answer 32

Chronic inability to get the necessary amount or quality of sleep needed to maintain daytime behaviours

Question 33

What are Nightmares ?

Answer 33

They occur during REM sleep, the person usually wakes up and can recall the 'Nightmare'

Question 34

What is a Night Terror ?

Answer 34

Occur during Delta sleep, common in children early in the night, they will seem as if they are awake but don't recognise their patients. Don't remember anything in the morning.

Question 35

What does the Lonus Coeruleus do ?

Answer 35

Regulates the amount of noradrenaline in the brain. It is important in arousal.

Question 36

What is the role of the Gigancellularis ?

Answer 36

It inhibits the motor activity of the spinal cord during sleep.