Sleep disorders — Flashcards

Flashcard 1: What is the primary neurotransmitter that inhibits REM sleep?

Answer: norepinephrine (NE)

Flashcard 2: What sleep changes are common in the elderly?

Answer: less REM and slow-wave sleep more latency and awakenings

Flashcard 3: stage N3

Answer: deep sleep, sleepwalking, night terrors, bedwetting

Extra: delta waves

Flashcard 4: REM

Answer: dreaming, loss of motor tone, high brain activity

Extra: beta waves (like being fully awake)

Flashcard 5: What three drugs are associated with reduced REM and Stage N3 sleep?

Answer: alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbituates

Flashcard 6: How often do REM cycles occur during normal sleep?

Answer: about every 90 minutes

Flashcard 7: What is the primary neurotransmitter that promotes REM sleep?

Answer: acetylcholine (ACh)

Flashcard 8: hypnagogic

Answer: just before sleep

Flashcard 9: hypnopompic

Answer: just before awakening

Flashcard 10: sleep terror disorder

Answer: unknown; associated with stress, fever, sleep deprivation

Extra: terror and screaming during sleep, no memory of a bad dreamcorrect environmental triggers, benzodiazepines (tx often unnecessary because disease is usually self-limited)children

Flashcard 11: cataplexy

Answer: loss of all muscle tone following a strong emotional stimulus

Flashcard 12: narcolepsy

Answer: unknown, but strong genetic component

Extra: excessive daytime sleepiness, hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations, cataplexydaytime stimulants (e.g. amphetamines, modafinil, methylphenidate) nighttime depressant (sodium oxybate)