Cogs17 Neurobiology of Cognition Lecture 8: Arousal & Sleep

These flashcards encompass key vocabulary and concepts related to the arousal and sleep systems discussed in the Neurobiology of Cognition lecture.

Reticular Formation

A network in the brainstem that alerts the brain and stimulates the thalamus and basal forebrain.

Locus Coeruleus

Part of the reticular formation in the pons, active during new tasks and vigilance, releases norepinephrine.

Basal Forebrain

Region that releases acetylcholine throughout the cortex for arousal and is implicated in memory.

Adenosine

A by-product of cell metabolism that inhibits the release of acetylcholine from the basal forebrain, promoting sleep.

Caffeine

A substance that blocks adenosine receptors, thus increasing arousal.

Electro-Encephalogram (EEG)

A method used to characterize brain activity during different states of wakefulness and sleep.

Beta Activity

Brain wave activity (18-24 Hz) associated with an awake, active state.

Delta Activity

Brain wave activity (< 4 Hz) observed during deep sleep stages characterized by high voltage and synchronization.

REM Sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep that is paradoxical in nature, with desynchronized EEG and loss of muscle tone.

Atonia

The loss of muscle tone during REM sleep, caused by signals from the pons inhibiting motor neurons.

Sleep Cycle

The sequence of sleep stages (Stage 1, 2, 3, 4, and REM) occurring approximately every 90 minutes.

REM Rebound

The phenomenon where the body attempts to enter REM sleep more frequently after deprivation.

VLPOA (Ventro-Lateral Preoptic Area)

A hypothalamic region that releases GABA to inhibit wakefulness and promote sleep.

PGO Wave

A sequence of neural activity in the Pons, Geniculate, and Occipital Cortex that initiates REM sleep.

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

The biological clock located in the hypothalamus that regulates circadian rhythms.

Melatonin

A hormone produced by the pineal gland that increases sleepiness and helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A condition where individuals overproduce melatonin due to decreased light exposure in winter.