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Bio of Sleep/Circadian System
16.3.07
39
Other
Not Applicable
03/17/2007

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Cards

Term
Do cetaceans have SWS simultaneously in both hemispheres?
Definition
Cetaceans = marine mammals swim while asleep and do not have Slow Wave Sleep in both hemispheres simulataneously. The eye contralat to the hemisphere with SWS stays closed, and other eye is opened
Term
what is the primary daily entraining agent for our SCN clock?
Definition
Light
Term
how long is our internal clock?
Definition
24.18 hours. therefore, we have to entrain our SCN clock to be synchonized to the 25 hour photoperiod cycle.
Term
What is melanopsin?
Definition
melanopsin is a protein/photoreceptor that measures the intensity of light.
Term
Where are melanopsin cells found?
Definition
In retinal ganglion cell layers
Term
What do melanopsin cells do?
Definition
melanopsin cells ensure that light is the primary entraining agent for our internal clocks
Term
How do melanopsin cells function?
Definition
melanopsin cells transmit info about the environmental timing of Earth's light via the retinohypothalamic tract to the SCN.
Term
Are melanopsin cells part of rods and cones that transmit visual info via the optic tract to the THAL and occipital lobe?
Definition
No, melanopsin cells are completely unique from rods and cones.
Term
State the circadian pathway
Definition
Light-->melanopsin cells-->(via the retinohypothalamic tract)--> suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)--> paraventricular nuclei--> superior cervical ganglion--> pineal gland, which secretes melatonin in darkness, but whose secretion is inhibited in the light.
Term
What is the SCN?
Definition
Suprachiasmatic nucleus = biological clock
Term
What does the SCN act as a "master regulator" for?
Definition
It entrains all other peripheral physiological oscillators.
Term
How does the SCN control all other peripheral physiological oscillators?
Definition
Via neural connections to other brain regions, through control of melatonin secretion, and via cortisol, thyroid, GH, leptin via its influence of the pituitary gland.
Term
what horomones are controled via circadian rhythms?
Definition
melatonin, cortisol
Term
Does it matter whether or not we are assleep as to whether the SCN can control melatonin and cortisol?
Definition
No. this is a circadian controlled process for certain horomones.
Term
what regulates sleep need?
Definition
circadian system interacting neurobiologically with homeostatic systems and physiological mediators
Term
Circadian clock (SCN) is primarily a BLANK promoting system?
Definition
SCN= wake promoting system
Term
What does the SCN ensure?
Definition
The SCN ensures that the organisms remains awake.
Term
At night (dearth of light), SCN BLANKS its waking system, permitting a drive for BLANK to be expressed.
Definition
At night (dearth of light), SCN WITHDRAWS its waking system, permitting a drive for SLEEP to be expressed.
Term
How does sleep drive build up/dissapate?
Definition
Sleep drive is a homeostatic system--NOT AN OSSILATOR--as such it build up and dissapates relative to the quantity and quality of sleep we obtain
Term
Sleep drive is a BLANK system, not an ossilator
Definition
HOMEOSTATIC
Term
Is circadian drive an ossilator or a homeostatic system?
Definition
an ossilator
Term
If sleep drive is not adequately satisfied physiologically, what happens?
Definition
The homeostatic drive for sleep can build to a point at which the Circadian system can't maintain wakefullness --> MICROSLEEPS and SLEEP ATTACKS
Term
When is sleep most likely to occur?
Definition
Sleep is most likely to occur and to progress into deeper stages and be sustained for longer duration when circadian system = Oscillating DOWN its waking drive + pressure for sleep is building UP.
Term
what happens when pressure to sleep is exagerated? (eg--being awake for >16hours)
Definition
fall asleep rapidly, progress into deepest stages of sleep quickly, have lower resting metabolic rates during sleep and greater EEG slow wave activity (SWA), and sleep duration is longer
Term
What does EOG measure?
Definition
Electrooculogam (EOG) measures eye movements
Term
what do EMG measure?
Definition
EMG (electromyograms) measure muscle activity
Term
What is PSG? What does it consist of?
Definition
PSG = polysomnography = EEG, EOG, EMG, ECG, respiration, and behavioral observations
Term
What is the sleep switch?
Definition
The VLPO--the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus
Term
What happens when the VLPO hyperpolarizes the THAL?
Definition
decrease in afferent flow to the cortex, decrease in normal executive attention (unstable), brain slips offline
Term
What obstructions does sleep apena provide?
Definition
OSAS prevents normal consolidation of sleep and progression through deeper sleep stages
Term
What is the hallmark of inadequate sleep?
Definition
Lapses
Term
What do lapses demonstrate?
Definition
The dynamic interaction of circadian pacemaker (promote wakefulness at certain times of day) and homeostatic drive for sleeep.
Term
Is lapsing better or worse at 24 hours or 36 hours of wakefulness? Why?
Definition
Lapsing is worse at 24 hours because your circaidian wake signal is stronger at 36 hours than at 24 hours
Term
what happens when sleep deprived?q
Definition
state instability occurs-- the sleep system manifests itself in uncontrolled interruptions of waking attention and alertness
Term
What is sleep latency?
Definition
sleep propensity = sleepiness
Term
As homeostatic sleep drive increases, what happens to latency from wake to stage 1 non REM sleep to stagte 2 to SWS(deep non REM sleep_?
Definition
This transition gets exponentially faster.
Term
what is state instability?
Definition
sleep system turning on in presence of waking drive--sudden unexpected delays in brain's response - "lapses"
Term
when does state instability occur?
Definition
when a healthy adult has been awake for more that 16-18 hours
Term
What are 2 hallmark feature of sleep onset?
Definition
rolling eye movements (eye rolls right and upward) and slower eyelid closures. "microsleep"
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