Deep sleep

The slow (deep sleep) -waves probably originate in the eortex beeause they survive separation from, or lesions of, the thalamus. However, the rhythm and appearanee of spindles in earlier phases of the sleep eyele do depend on links with the thalamus (see Steriade 1999). Unlike stimulation of the specific sensory relay nuclei in the thalamus, which only affects neurons in the appropriate sensory areas of the cortex, the nonspecific nuclei can produce responses throughout the cortex and may not only control, but also generate, cortical activity. Certainly, in vitro studies show that neurons of the non-specific reticular thalamic nucleus (NspRTN) can fire spontaneously at about 8-12 Hz (equivalent to EEG a-rhythm) or lower, and that low-frequency stimulation of this area can induce sleep. 

Nervine. Enjoy elder as a tea before bed. It calms the spirit and emotional body. Historically, a decoction of elder flowers was prepared and applied to the legs and arms to induce a deep sleep. Elder flower tea was also given to those suffering from epilepsy. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Carli, G. Zanchetti, A. (1965). A study of pontine lesions suppressing deep sleep in the cat. Arch. Ital. Biol. 103, 751-88. 

Retey, J. V., Adam, M., Honegger, E. et al (2005). A functional genetic variation of adenosine deaminase affects the duration and intensity of deep sleep in humans. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102 (43), 15676-81. 

Okada et al, 2003). More recent experiments in humans (Retey et al, 2005) confirmed and extended our observation and showed that genetic variation of ADA specifically increases deep sleep and SWS and that the A R is involved in this process. 

The importance of adenosine deaminase in the duration and intensity of sleep in humans has been noted recently (Retey et al. 2005). Animal studies suggest that sleep needs are genetically controlled, and this also seems to apply in humans. Probably, a genetic variant of adenosine deaminase, which is associated with the reduced metabolism of adenosine to inosine, specifically enhances deep sleep and slow wave activity during sleep. Thus low activity of the catabolic enzyme for adenosine results in elevated adenosine, and deep sleep. In contrast, insomnia patients could have a distinct polymorphism of more active adenosine deaminase resulting in less adenosine accumulation, insomnia, and a low threshold for anxiety. This could also explain interindividual differences in anxiety symptoms after caffeine intake in healthy volunteers. This could affect the EEG during sleep and wakefulness in a non-state-specific manner. 

GTC seizures may be preceded by premonitory symptoms (i.e., an aura). A tonic-clonic seizure that is preceded by an aura is likely a partial seizure that is secondarily generalized. Tonic-clonic seizures begin with a short tonic contraction of muscles followed by a period of rigidity. The patient may lose sphincter control, bite the tongue, or become cyanotic. The episode may be followed by unconsciousness, and frequently the patient goes into a deep sleep. 

A really deep sleep requires a large amount of anaesthetic and a shallower sleep requires less material. A trained anaesthetist knows just how much anaesthetic to administer to induce the correct depth of sleep, and achieves this by varying the relative pressures of the gases breathed by the patient. 

Many animals hibernate during parts of the year, entering a state that is similar to a very deep sleep. But hibernation is more than simply a deep sleep. The animal s body temperature drops well below its normal range, the animal does not wake up for a long period of time, and its metabolism slows to the point that the animal does not need to eat or relieve itself during that period. 

The sedative action of noradrenaline has been known since 1 954, when FELDBERG and SHERWOOD (47) injected the substance into the lateral ventricle of cats, thus avoiding the blood-brain barrier. Similar results have been obtained with adrenaline, which LEIMDORFER (48) proved to be active in producing deep sleep in man by injecting 2 mg intracisternally. The sedative action of methyidopa is well known from its clinical use. 

If the reaction lasts more than a day, a period of deep sleep generally precedes full recovery. Return of appetite, interest in recreation and a normal display of enthusiasm and spontaneity in conversation are reliable indications that the delirium is over... ... 

The sense of the peculiar was nearly palpable. Dark oceans of time and space seemed to swell and flow beneath our feet. The image of the earth hanging in space was everywhere emotionally superimposed on the situation around us. And what was that situation really I lay in my hammock, thrilled and uneasy at the edge of sleep, then I fell into deep sleep and deep dreams from which nothing remained in the morning save the sense of yawning interstellar space. 

Hexobarbitone produces deep sleep, its action is rapid, but transitory. Dosage is 15 to 30 mg 0/4 to h. grain) for sleep, more than this may lead to respiratory collapse and death. 

One of the major reasons for the popularity of the benzodiazepines is their relative safety. Overdoses with the benzodiazepines occur commonly, but fatal toxic occurrences are rare. Fatal intoxications are more likely in children, in individuals with respiratory difficulties, and in individuals who have consumed another central nervous system depressant, such as alcohol. After an overdose, the patient begins a deep sleep that may last for 24 to 48 hours, depending on the dose. However, even with large overdoses, the patient can usually still be aroused. 

In usual sedative doses, zolpidem preserves deep sleep (stages 3 and 4) and has only minor and inconsistent effects on REM sleep. Compared with the benzodiazepines, zolpidem has relatively weak anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and skeletal muscle relaxant properties at therapeutic doses. Zolpidem has a rapid onset and a relatively short duration of action. It is well absorbed after oral administration, with approximately 70% bioavail-abUity. It undergoes hydroxylation and oxidation to inactive metabohtes in the fiver. Its elimination half-life is approximately 2.5 hours, which is usually sufficient to provide for a normal 8 hours of sleep without daytime grogginess. 

Mechanism of Action A nonbarbiturate chloral derivative that produces CNS depression. Therapeutic Effect Induces quiet, deep sleep, with only a slight decrease in respiratory rate and BP. 

Ware JC Increased deep sleep after trazodone use a double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy young adults. J Clin Psychiatry 519 (suppl) 18-22, 1990 Ware JC, Brown FW, Morad PJ, et al Effects on sleep a double blind study comparing trimipramine to imipramine in depressed insomniac patients. Sleep 12 537-549, 1989... 

Hyoscme (scopolamine) a useful medicament, induces deep sleep rapidly. Especially for manic patients... 

Clinical signs and symptoms include sudden onset of irrational, combative, or destructive behavior after ingesting relatively small amounts of alcohol. The behavior is atypical of the individual when not drinking, and usually begins within minutes to hours. After the acute outburst, the patient usually lapses into deep sleep and upon awakening has only fragmentary memory or total amnesia for the episode. Treatment should attempt to diminish stimulation as much as possible, and antipsychotics, such as haloperidol (2 to 5 mg orally, i.m., or i.v.) may reduce combative or destructive behavior. 

How, we wonder, would a PET scan of Aldous Huxley s brain in deep reflection compare with the images collected in outwardly attentive waking, deep sleep, and that most easily obtained altered state of consciousness, REM sleep dreaming My guess is that it would look more like REM than deep sleep or waking. 

In terms of the brain-mind paradigm and its 3-D map, the AIM model, SSRIs produce the equivalent of a stimulant effect as well as paradoxical sedation. The upward shift of the M dimension, caused by the elevation in aminergic drive, makes descent into deep sleep impossible, just as amphetamines make falling asleep at all more difficult. Because subjects spend much more time in light sleep at or near waking levels, they naturally experience more dreaming and they are more aware of it because they awaken more often. 

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