Sleep, Dreams, & Circadian Rhythms and Drugs, Addiction, & the Reward System

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to sleep, dreams, circadian rhythms, drugs, addiction, and the brain's reward system as outlined in the lecture notes.

What are the three major stages of sleep in NREM sleep and their characteristics?

Stage 1: Light sleep, ~5-10 minutes, EEG: Theta waves. Stage 2: ~20 minutes, EEG: Sleep spindles and K-complexes. Stage 3: ~30-40 minutes, EEG: Delta waves.

What occurs during REM sleep?

Rapid eye movement, dreams occur, complete muscle atonia, high brain activity.

What are the main experimental methods for studying sleep deprivation?

Total sleep deprivation, partial sleep deprivation, selective sleep deprivation, and animal studies.

What is the difference between recuperative and adaptive theories of sleep?

Recuperative theory focuses on restoring homeostasis and repairing body tissues, while adaptive theory suggests sleep evolved for survival.

What are the health consequences of long-term sleep reduction?

Impaired cognitive function, emotional instability, and increased health risks.

What is the difference between monophasic and polyphasic sleep?

Monophasic sleep involves one main sleep period, while polyphasic sleep includes multiple short sleep periods.

What are circadian cycles?

Internal biological clocks regulating sleep-wake cycles, influenced by zeitgebers.

What are the four main routes of drug administration?

Ingestion, injection, inhalation, and absorption through mucous membranes.

What is drug tolerance?

Reduced drug effect with repeated use, measured by metabolic and functional tolerance.

What is Siegel’s conditioning theory of drug tolerance?

The theory suggests that conditioned responses to drug environments can affect tolerance and overdose risk.

What are the three stages of drug addiction?

Initial drug use, habitual drug use, and compulsive drug use.

Which brain areas are involved in addiction?

Mesocorticolimbic pathway including the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens, and prefrontal cortex.