NEUROBIOLOGY OF SLEEP

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on the neurobiology of sleep, including definitions of processes, disorders, and mechanisms related to sleep.

C Process

Circadian Clock that influences the sleep-wake cycle.

S Process

Sleep Homeostat which builds sleep pressure over time.

Sleep Architecture

The structure and pattern of sleep cycles throughout the night.

REM Sleep

Rapid Eye Movement sleep characterized by increased brain activity and vivid dreams.

NREM Sleep

Non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep, divided into several stages including light and deep sleep.

Sleep Disorders

Conditions that disrupt normal sleep patterns, such as insomnia, narcolepsy, and REM behavior disorder.

Flip-Flop Switch

A mechanism in the brain that determines whether a person is awake or asleep based on mutual inhibition.

Adenosine

A purine nucleoside that promotes sleep and builds up during wakefulness.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

A method used to measure the electrical activity of the brain, particularly during different sleep stages.

Locus Coeruleus (LC)

A part of the brainstem that produces norepinephrine and is associated with wakefulness.

Sleep Pressure

The drive to sleep that accumulates the longer one is awake.

Sleep Paralysis

A temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by repeated breathing interruptions during sleep.

Glymphatic System

A waste clearance system in the brain that is more active during sleep.

Sleep Consolidation

The process of stabilizing memories during sleep.

Hypnagogic Hallucinations

Vivid visual, auditory, or sensory experiences that occur while falling asleep.

Insomnia

Difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep, impacting daytime functioning.