Sleep electrophysiology

Staner L, Mendlewicz J (1994) Effect of a single dose of tianeptine in healthy volunteer on sleep electrophysiological parameters. Eur Psychiatry 9 (Suppl 1) 141... 

Rapid eye movement sleep. Sleep stage characterized by rapid movements of the eyes and asynchronous EEG activity in the theta-frequency (5-10Hz) range. Counterpart is slow wave sleep, characterized by other electrophysiological (synchronized low frequency l-2Hz, large amplitude EEG and neuronal sharp wave-ripple oscillations) and endocrine (growth hormone surge) activities. 

Nocturnal polysomnography Visual and electrophysiologic assessment of human sleep minimally composed of electroencephalogram, electrooculogram, and electromyogram that allows determination of sleep stage, breathing events, and muscle movements. 

Gervasoni, D Darracq, L., Fort, P. et al. (1998). Electrophysiological evidence that noradrenergic neurons of the rat locus coeruleus are tonically inhibited by GABA during sleep. Eur. J. Neurosci. 10, 964-70. 

These initial studies suggested that the posterior hypothalamus may contain a wakefulness center and provided the initial impetus to pursue further research to understand the role of HA and the posterior hypothalamus in sleep-wakefulness. The next cycle of research substantiating the role of HA in sleep-wakefulness consisted mainly of electrophysiological, biochemical/molecular, and pharmacological studies. 

Figure 7.2 Diurnal variation of extracellular dopamine in the non-human primate putamen. Dopamine concentrations (dm) as determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography of microdialysates obtained from the putamen of two rhesus monkeys across their 12 12 h lights-on (waking 7 00 am 7 00 pm) and lights off (sleep 7 00 pm-7 00 am) periods. Ten minute samples (2 pl/min sampling rate) were derived from nine individual 8 h sessions in each animal in which the sleep-wake state was monitored simultaneously by standard electrophysiological parameters.

Although many questions remain about the complicated role of serotonin and its receptors in regulating sleep and waking, recent neurochemical, electrophysiological, and neuropharmacological studies have revealed much detailed information about this process. 

Immunohistochemical and electrophysiological studies of the hypothalamic preoptic area (POA), which plays a major role in sleep promotion, have identified a subset of sleep-active ventrolateral POA (VLPO) neurons (Sherin et al. 1996 Szymusiak et al. 1998). A tightly clustered group of VLPO neurons appears to promote non-REM sleep, by suppression of the histaminergic arousal system, which... 

Amzica, F. Steriade, M. (1998). Electrophysiological correlates of sleep delta waves. Electroencephalogr. Clin. Neurophysiol 107, 69-83. 

Sleep paralysis Moderate (50) High (80) Induced easily in normal controls with sleep deprivation Diagnosed clinically or electrophysiologically... 

Fragmented nocturnal sleep High (70) Moderate (60) Wide differential diagnosis for this complaint Diagnosed electrophysiologically... 

Electrophysiologic and behavioral observations in LSD-treated animals may give some hint as to the switch in attentiveness in the presence of a moderately high state of arousal, which is characteristic of LSD in man. One would expect further clarification of the physiologic role of the raphe with respect to REM sleep because, in nature, this is one state in which a natural shift to primary process thinking and plastic and sensory thought and perceptual processes (with a compelling sense of conviction) can occur. 

Sieep electrophysiology To date, four studies have been published that examine the effects of valerian on human sleep and its electrophysiology, which have produced variable results. An early study (Muller-Limmroth and Ehrenstein 1977) showed that a combined preparation of valerian and hops in sleep-disturbed subjects increased the amount of slow-wave and REM sleep. Another study using an aqueous extract (400 mg) of valerian did not show significant EEG effects, but suggested a relation between the EEG effects and subjective effects, that is, shortened sleep... 

Electrophysiological and cognitive effects The effects of kava on brain electrophysiology were investigated in cats (Holm et al. 1991). Kavain produces high-amplitude delta activity, spindlelike formations, and continuous alpha or beta activity in the amygdala. Similar to barbiturates, kavain prolongs synchronized sleep. 

Electrophysiology and neuroimaging Similar to LSD, peripheral injections of mescaline produce desynchronization of the EEG and increase arousal in the rat (Colasanti and Khazan 1975). This period asts for 2-3 hours, and is followed by a period of slow-wave and REM sleep with normal sleep cycles. 

Cannabis has electrophysiological effects on human sleep as well. Daily doses (70 to 210 mg) of THC reduced REM sleep and increased... 

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