01:830:101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Suprachiasmatic Nucleus, Rapid Eye Movement Sleep, Circadian Rhythm

• School: Rutgers University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: 01:830:101
• Professor: K.Brynildsen

Document Summary

Circadian rhythm - biological clock (controlled by hypothalamus) Suprachiasmatic nucleus (scn) - in hypothalamus - sensitive to changes in light. Darkness scn tells pineal gland to secrete melatonin. Light scn tells pineal gland to stop secreting melatonin. Seasonal affective disorder - not enough exposure to the sun; clinical depression that occurs during the shorter months or days. Can be treated like a regular disorder with medications but can also be treated with light therapy. People who are totally blind (no light at all) - circadian rhythm operates on a slightly longer schedule. 24. 2-25 hour cycle - natural internal cycle. Tells pineal gland to stop producing melatonin - makes it harder for us to sleep. Non-rapid eye movement (n-rem) - non dreaming sleep (3 stages) Hypnic or hypnagogic jerk: when you"re sleeping and you feel like you"re falling - muscle spasm. Hypnagogic hallucinations: having images or thoughts that aren"t real. Reductions in heart rate and muscle tension.