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Updated: May 16, 2026

Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice
Published on: August 2, 2017
Technical advances in the characterization of the complexity of sleep and sleep disorders
Matt T Bianchi1, Robert J Thomas
1Department of Neurology, Sleep Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Wang 720 Neurology, Boston, MA 02114, United States. mtbianchi@partners.org
Abstract:
The current clinical standard for quantifying sleep physiology is the laboratory polysomnogram, from which basic sleep-wake stages are determined. However, the complexity of sleep physiology has inspired alternative metrics that are providing additional insights into the rich dynamics of sleep. Electro-encephalography, magneto-encephalography, and functional magnetic resonance imaging represent advanced imaging modalities for understanding brain dynamics. These methods are complemented by autonomic measurements that provide additional important insights. We review here the spectrum of approaches that have been leveraged towards improved understanding of the complexity of sleep.
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