Normal sleep physiology — Flashcards

Flashcard 1: _____ disorder is characterized by inconsolable periods of terror with screaming in the middle of the night (stage N3 sleep)

Answer: Sleep terror

Flashcard 2: Narcolepsy is characterized by nocturnal and narcoleptic sleep episodes that start with _____ sleep (sleep paralysis)

Answer: REM

Flashcard 3: _____ hallucinations occur while going to sleep; sometimes seen in narcolepsy

Answer: Hypnagogic

Flashcard 4: What class of medications may be used to treat parasomnias in children, such as sleepwalking and night terrors?

Answer: Benzodiazepines

Flashcard 5: Sleep in the elderly is associated with _____ REM latency

Answer: decreased

Extra: Changes in sleep patterns with normal aging: - ↓ Total sleep time - ↓ REM sleep duration - ↓ N3 (Slow-wave sleep / Deep sleep) - ↑ Sleep latency (increased time to fall asleep) - ↓ REM latency (REM occurs earlier in the night)

Flashcard 6: What is the primary neurotransmitter that inhibits REM sleep?

Answer: norepinephrine (NE)

Flashcard 7: What sleep changes are common in the elderly?

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

Flashcard 8: What are the key characteristics and clinical associations of Sleep Stage N3?

Answer: deep sleep, sleepwalking, night terrors, bedwetting

Extra: Characterized by delta waves (low frequency, high amplitude). This is the stage where non-REM parasomnias like sleepwalking (somnambulism) and night terrors occur.

Flashcard 9: REM

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

Extra: beta waves (like being fully awake)

Flashcard 10: What three drugs are associated with reduced REM and Stage N3 sleep?

Answer: alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbituates