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Related Concept Videos

Insomnia01:27

Insomnia

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Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
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The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
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Sleep progresses through distinct stages, each characterized by specific brain wave patterns and physiological responses ranging from wakefulness to stages of non-rapid eye movement, known as non-REM, to rapid eye movement, referred to as REM. Understanding these stages helps in recognizing how sleep supports various bodily and cognitive functions.
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Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
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Alpha-wave Characteristics in Psychophysiological Insomnia.

Mohammad Rezaei1, Hiwa Mohammadi1, Habibolah Khazaie1

  • 1Sleep Disorders Research Center, Farabi Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

Journal of Medical Signals and Sensors
|November 19, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Individuals with psychophysiological insomnia exhibit heightened cortical arousal, evidenced by increased alpha-wave activity and variability before sleep. This suggests heightened mental activity contributes to their sleep difficulties.

Keywords:
Electroencephalographypolysomnographypower-frequency variabilitypsychophysiological insomnia

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Psychophysiology

Background:

  • Psychophysiological insomnia (Psych-Insomnia) is characterized by heightened cortical arousal during sleep onset.
  • Alpha activity changes, particularly in the central region, may indicate cortical activation even without external stimuli.
  • Understanding alpha-wave characteristics before and after sleep onset is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms of Psych-Insomnia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare alpha-wave characteristics (power, frequency, variability) in individuals with Psych-Insomnia versus healthy controls.
  • To analyze these characteristics during different sleep stages and wakefulness before sleep onset.
  • To explore the relationship between alpha-wave patterns and the subjective experience of heightened mental activity in Psych-Insomnia.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 11 individuals with Psych-Insomnia and 11 matched healthy controls.
  • Overnight polysomnography was utilized to monitor sleep and brain activity.
  • Alpha-wave characteristics, including power, frequency, and variability in the central region, were calculated from wake before sleep onset (WBSO), wake after sleep onset, REM, and NREM sleep.

Main Results:

  • Individuals with Psych-Insomnia showed significantly higher alpha activity and variability during wake before sleep onset (WBSO) compared to healthy controls.
  • Alpha-wave synchronization was also elevated in the Psych-Insomnia group.
  • Alpha frequency variability occurred at approximately 1 Hz in both groups during sleep stages.

Conclusions:

  • Heightened cortical arousal, reflected in increased and more variable alpha-wave activity before sleep, is a key feature of psychophysiological insomnia.
  • The findings suggest that excessive "imagination" or mental activity, potentially driven by stress and daily concerns, contributes to the sleep-onset difficulties in Psych-Insomnia.
  • Alpha-wave analysis provides a neurophysiological marker for understanding the hyperarousal state in Psych-Insomnia.