Physiology of Sleep

Unconsciousness from which the person can

be aroused by sensory or other stimuli
 Types of Sleep
• REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep or
Paradoxical sleep

• Non – REM sleep or Slow wave sleep

 Characteristics of REM sleep
• Associated with active dreaming
• EEG waves – rapid, low voltage activity –
Beta waves
• Threshold for arousal by sensory stimuli is
elevated
• Hypotonia
• HR & Respiratory rate – irregular
• Rapid movement of eyes
• Occurrence of irregular muscle movements
• Occurrence of PGO spikes
 NREM sleep
Divided into 4 stages
• Stage I – Low amplitude, high frequency EEG
activity

• Stage II – marked by the appearance of sleep

spindles ( Burst of alpha like waves)

• Stage III – Theta waves

• Stage IV – Delta waves

 Genesis of REM sleep
• Located in the Pontine reticular formation

• Cholinergic PGO (ponto – geniculo -

occiptal) spike discharge initiates REM
sleep

• PGO spikes originate in Pons lateral

geniculate body Occipital cortex
 Genesis of Slow wave sleep
• Diencephalic sleep zone – posterior
hypothalamus, intralaminar and anterior
thalamic nuclei
• Reticular formation of medulla at the level
of N. Tractus solitarius
• Basal forebrain sleep zone – Includes
preoptic area
 Wakefulness
• Discharge of Noradrenergic neurons in the
locus ceruleus

• Discharge of Serotonergic neurons in mid

brain Raphe
 Sleep disorders
• Insomnia

• Somnambulism – Sleep walking

• Nocturnal enuresis – Bed – wetting

• Narcolepsy