Sleep Disorders and Memory Functions

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to sleep disorders, memory functions, and associated neurological studies.

Sleep Attacks

Unexpected sleepiness during normal waking hours.

Cataplexy

Unexpected moments of muscle weakness.

Sleep Paralysis

An inability to move during transitions between waking and sleeping.

Hypnagogic Hallucinations

Hallucinations occurring while falling asleep.

Hypnopompic Hallucinations

Hallucinations occurring while waking up.

Orexin

A neuropeptide that promotes wakefulness, loss of which is associated with narcolepsy.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS)

Characterized by recurrent pharyngeal collapses during sleep.

Parasomnias

Unusual behaviors and experiences during sleep.

NREM Parasomnias

Disorders that occur during non-REM sleep.

REM Parasomnias

Disorders that occur during REM sleep.

Insomnia

Difficulty either getting to sleep or staying asleep.

Onset Insomnia

Difficulty getting to sleep.

Maintenance Insomnia

Difficulty staying asleep.

Engram

The physical representation of what has been learned.

Equipotentiality

All parts of the cortex contribute equally to complex functioning behaviors.

Mass Action

The cortex works as a whole, not as isolated units.

Anterograde Amnesia

Inability to create new memories after the onset of amnesia.

Retrograde Amnesia

Inability to recall memories that were formed before the onset of amnesia.

Consolidation

The process by which memories are stabilized into long-term memory.

Hippocampal Complex

A critical structure for memory formation and retrieval.

Place Cells

Neurons in the hippocampus that activate when an animal is in a specific location.

Grid Cells

Neurons that provide a spatial mapping system based on a grid.

Head-Direction Cells

Neurons that fire when an animal is looking in a specific direction.