Sleep Across the Lifespan Wk2 L1

Sleep Architecture

The basic structural organization of normal sleep, including its stages and cycles.

Hypnogram

A visual representation of sleep cycles over a sleep period.

NREM Sleep

Non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep, which includes stages 1, 2, and 3 of sleep.

REM Sleep

Rapid Eye Movement sleep, a variable state of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements and vivid dreaming.

Polysomnographic Parameters

Metrics recorded during sleep studies, including brainwave activity, eye movements, and muscle movements.

Circadian Rhythm

The internal body clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and other biological processes.

Polyphasic Sleep

Sleep that occurs in multiple phases throughout a 24-hour period.

Biphasic Sleep

Sleep that consists of two distinct phases during a 24-hour period, often including a long nighttime sleep and a nap.

Monophasic Sleep

Sleep that occurs in a single, extended period during the night with no daytime naps.

Chronotype

An individual's natural preference for being active during certain parts of the day, such as 'morning larks' or 'night owls.'

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep.

Sleep Spindles

Brief bursts of brain activity observed in stage 2 NREM sleep, indicative of processing and consolidation.

K Complexes

Large, slow brain waves that occur during NREM sleep, particularly in stage 2.

Atonia

Loss of muscle tone or paralysis that typically occurs during REM sleep.

Subjective Sleep Quality

Individuals' perception of their sleep quality and patterns, often assessed through surveys.

Restless Legs Syndrome

A condition characterized by an uncomfortable sensation in the legs, leading to an urge to move them, particularly during the evening or night.

Sleep Duration

The total amount of time spent sleeping, which varies by age and individual needs.

Biological Sex

The physical and biological characteristics that define humans as male or female, including genetic differences.

Gender Minority Groups

Individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth, including transgender and non-binary individuals.

Sleep Disorders

Medical conditions that significantly impact the quality, timing, and duration of sleep.

Neural Growth and Development Theory

A theory suggesting that sleep is essential for the development of neural pathways, especially in young organisms.

Energy Conservation Theory

A theory proposing that sleep serves to lower metabolic rates and conserve energy.

Information Processing Theory

A theory suggesting that sleep plays a key role in memory consolidation and information processing.

Nocturia

The need to wake up during the night to urinate, which can disrupt sleep.

Circadian Timing

The timing of various biological processes, including sleep, that can shift with age and lifestyle.

Age-Dependent Changes in Sleep

Alterations in sleep patterns and architecture that occur as a person ages, including reduced total sleep time and changes in sleep efficiency.

Marine Mammal Sleep

Distinct sleep traits in aquatic mammals, such as unihemispheric sleep where one hemisphere of the brain sleeps while the other stays awake for survival.

Infradian Cycles

Cycles that occur over a period longer than a day, such as female reproductive hormone cycles.