• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • 2
    CommentGo Back
Download
 
1
SLEEP
 INTRODUCTION 
 
Sleep is a behavioral and neurobiological state which is characterized by a change in the stateof consciousness and bodily as well as neurological behavior. Sleep is an involuntary periodic process which is dependent on environmental and internal circumstances of an individual. Sleepis divided into
 REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep
and
 NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement)
 
 sleep
based on varied characteristics. The different characteristics of the neurobiological states inhumans (which are wakefulness, REM sleep and Non-REM sleep) are distinguished by:
y
 
Environmental Responsiveness.
y
 
G
eneral Physiology.
y
 
EE
G
waveforms (of muscle and eye movement).
y
 
Muscle tones.
y
 
Mental activity.
 P 
 RINCI 
 PAL
CH 
 A
 R
 A
CTERISTICS OF REM S 
 L
 EE 
 P 
 
 A
 ND NON-REM S 
 L
 EE 
 P 
 
R 
EM SLEEP SLOW-WAVE/N
R 
EM SLEEP
EE
G
De-synchrony (irregular, rapid waves) EE
G
Synchrony (slow waves)Lack of Muscle Tones Moderate Muscle TonesRapid Eye Movement Slow or Absent Eye Movement
G
enital Activity Lack of 
G
enital ActivityDreams -
 
2
 
 P 
 HYSIO
 L
OGIC 
 AL
MECH 
 A
 NISM OF S 
 L
 EE 
 P 
 
The natural cycle of sleep and wakefulness is regulated by the nervous system.
 Suprachiasmatic nucleus
is a structure in the hypothalamus which is specifically involved in theregulation of circadian rhythms (brain wave rhythms, hormone production, cell regeneration,etc). The hypothalamus secretes various hormones which influence the sleep and wake state of mind. These are various neurohormones and neurotransmitters which are linked with andencourage sleep like melatonin, which promotes sleep, and adenosine, which accumulates duringwakefulness, encouraging sleep, and then decreases during sleep. Other areas of the brain such asmedulla and thalamus also control sleep and arousal.Benington, Kodali and Heller (1995) suggested that a nucleoside neurotransmitter,
adenosine
, could be one of the primary controlling agents of sleep.
G
lucose is supplied by bloodto the brain when cognitive activities take place. But when blood fails to provide the requiredamount of glucose due to high activity of the brain, Astrocytes provide the needed nutrition inform of glycogen. The increase in the level of the metabolism of glycogen increases the levels of adenosine. This increase of adenosine increases the amount of delta activity during sleep. Recentresearches also verify the hypothesis of adenosine as a mechanism which regulates sleep.
 
3
 
FU
NCTIONS O
F
SLEEP
Sleep is one of the intrinsic needs of living organisms. Sleep is inevitable and is aninvoluntary behavior. The function of sleep is still not fully known but most researchers believethat the primary function of NREM sleep is to provide the brain with rest while REM sleepsupports brain development and learning.
 FUNCTIONS OF S 
 L
OW W 
 AV 
 E S 
 L
 EE 
 P 
 
Effects of Sleep Deprivation:
I
n 1978, Horne conducted over 50 experiments of sleep deprived people. The reportsindicated that sleep does not affect the physical performance of the body but the affect of sleepon the cognitive abilities were witnessed. Some subjects reported of hallucinations, perceptualdistortions and difficulty in concentration. Further research found out how during stage 4 of slow-wave sleep the presence of delta activity in particular regions of the brain indicatedrelaxation and rest in that area of brain. Thus, it could be stated that one of the primary functionof slow-wave sleep is to provide the brain with rest and allows the brain to recover from theday¶s activities.
Effects of Exercise on Sleep:
The studies conducted by Adey, Bors and Porter in 1968 and Ryback and Lewis in 1971highlighted the relationship between sleep and exercise. These studies focused on the role of sleep to restore physiological function. The results indicated that though there isn¶t a very strongrelationship between sleep and exercise, the hypothesis is still acceptable and it can be said thatone of the functions of sleep, even though not primary, could be to provide the body with rest.
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
vyevya

Very useful.. Thanks!

reply02 / 23 / 2010
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...