Sleep Disorders

Question 1

How are sleep disorders evaluated?

Answer 1

1) Polygraph: records brain waves on EEG
2) Electromyogram (EMG): records muscle activity
3) Electrooculogram (EOG): records eye movements
4) Thermometer: body temperature
* Sleep studies!

Question 2

What are the two sleep states and how are they characterized?

Answer 2

1) REM sleep: vivid dreaming; resembles awake; increases in length throughout the night
2) Non-REM sleep: deeper sleep (slower and larger waves)

Question 3

What is Narcolepsy?

Answer 3

• Inappropriate and overwhelming attack of sleep

Question 4

Who is affected by Narcolepsy?

Answer 4

• 2% of population; 10-20 years old; males and females equally

Question 5

What is Narcolepsy caused by?

Answer 5

• May be genetic (Allele on HLA-DQB1 gene of chromosome 6); loss of hypothalamic neurons that produce orexin (controls arousal)

Question 6

What is the treatment for Narcolepsy?

Answer 6

• Treatment: amphetamine-like medication; tricyclic anti-depressants

Question 7

What are the symptoms for Narcolepsy?

Answer 7

1) Sleep Attacks: brief, irresistible attacks of sleep; occur at any time
2) Cataplexy: complete loss of muscle tone; paralysis, but remains conscious; occurs at times of emotional excitement
3) Sleep paralysis: paralysis just prior to sleep
4) Hypnagogic hallucination: vivid hallucinations or dreams during sleep paralysis; can be frightening and intermixed with real events

Question 8

What is Insomnia?

Answer 8

• Specific to the individuals

Question 9

Who is affected by Insomnia?

Answer 9

• Poor sleepers: have decreased dream sleep; more sleep stage transitions; restless during sleep

Question 10

What are the causes of Insomnia?

Answer 10

• Nightmares, night terrors, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, myoclonus, brain damage, drug use

Question 11

What are the two types of sleep apnea?

Answer 11

• Sleep apnea: periodic cessation of respiration during sleep
  1) Obstructive: collapse of oropharynx during dream sleep paralysis
  2) Central: CNS disorder, failure of diaphragm to move; can be caused or aggravated by obesity

Question 12

What is REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?

Answer 12

• Individual fails to become paralyzed during REM and thus acts out dreams

Question 13

Slow-Wave Sleep Problems: Nocturnal Enuresis?

Answer 13

• Bedwetting

Question 14

Slow-Wave Sleep Problems: Somnambulism?

Answer 14

• Sleepwalking

Question 15

Slow-Wave Sleep Problems: Pavor Nocturnus?

Answer 15

• Night terrors

Question 16

Slow-Wave Sleep Problems: Sleep-Related Eating Disorder?

Answer 16

• Eating while asleep; may result in obesity