Neuropsychology Final Exam
Consciousness - correct answer Awareness, level of mental alertness, & level of attention are common
representations
Types of Brain waves - correct answer Alpha, Beta, Theta, and Delta; For each stage of sleep there are
characteristics waveforms, such as alpha, theta, & delta & for REM a form that looks like a sawtooth
Delta Waves - correct answer at a frequency of ½ to 4 cycles per second represent the deepest stage of
sleep
Lucid Dreamers - correct answer knowing they are dreaming during their dream, & able to influence
theme & outcome, thoughts & emotions.
Stages of Sleep - correct answer REM and NREM
Stage 2 sleep - correct answer involves sleep spindles and K complexes
Alpha Waves - correct answer Synchronized bursts of these waves (8-12 cps) appear superimposed on
the background of the faster brain rhythm
Stage 4 sleep - correct answer EEGs show 50% or more delta waves; known as restorative sleep because
it also increases in adults in response to intense physical exertion.
REM sleep - correct answer After the first descent into deep sleep, there is a progressive lighting that
culminates at 90 minutes after sleep onset on the first REM period; As the night progress, REM periods
lengthen at the end of each 90-minute cycle; In general, normal sleepers spend 75% in NREM sleep &
25% in REM sleep over a night's sleep; dampens external sensory stimulation. Science is now aware of at
least two behavioral functions that REM sleep may serve: The 1st is memory consolidation and The 2nd
is the intrapsychic function of dreaming.
Parts of the brain tied to sleep/wake cycle - correct answer the pituitary, under control of the
hypothalamus, releases somatotrophin (growth hormone) during Stage 4 sleep, & the immune system is
particularly active.
, Neuropsychology Final Exam
Circadian Clock - correct answer nestles in the suprachiasmic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus; if left
without any natural light cues, humans will revert to about 25—hour—per-day cycles of waking &
sleeping. Natural light, or in some cases an alarm clock, apparently resynchronizes the human circadian
clock each day for functioning in accord with a 24—hour day. The two halves of the SCN lie just above
the optic chiasm & receive light via neural input from the two visual fields as they cross hemispheres to
the opposite sides of the brain; When this internal clock runs amok, sleep patterns can be greatly, even
fatally disrupted. When activated, the hypothalamus sends its molecular message to the thalamus & the
reticular activating system of the lower brain stem.
Reticular Activating Syndrome - correct answer is the primary mechanism for turning REM sleep on & off.
It maintains cortical arousal; During wakefulness, the high activity in the ascending RAS stimulates the
brain via projections into many different neurologic systems in the cortex. The stimulation that finally
reaches the occipital cortex gives rise to dream images & the corresponding rapid REM characteristic of
this stage. Many of the REM sleep occurrences have brain stem mechanisms.
Hippocampus - correct answer actively produces theta waves during REM sleep, as well as during stage 1
& stage 2 sleep
Dreams - correct answer a large percentage are reported "hostile"; most frequent themes of being
chased or falling; the content & themes of dreams may be useful in helping solve many personal
problems.
Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS) - correct answer is a serious disorder resulting from frequent episodes of
apnea (cessation of airflow) during sleep. If repeated apnea & awakening occur more than five times an
hour, the patient is diagnosed with this.
Apnea - correct answer lack of breath
Narcolepsy - correct answer The most notable disorder resulting from impaired CNS control of the sleep
—wake cycle. (Greek, "a taking hold of numbness"). are afflicted with irresistible daytime "sleep attacks."
People suffering from this can fall asleep while at work, while driving a car, or during a conversation.
Such sleep attacks can last from a few seconds to more than 30 minutes. Narcolepsy is a central nervous
system disorder of the region in the brain stem that controls & regulates sleep & wakefulness. Excessive
Daytime Sleepiness. Pathologic daytime sleepiness is often the 1st sign to emerge in narcolepsy, typically
associated with normal amounts of sleep at night.
Consciousness - correct answer Awareness, level of mental alertness, & level of attention are common
representations
Types of Brain waves - correct answer Alpha, Beta, Theta, and Delta; For each stage of sleep there are
characteristics waveforms, such as alpha, theta, & delta & for REM a form that looks like a sawtooth
Delta Waves - correct answer at a frequency of ½ to 4 cycles per second represent the deepest stage of
sleep
Lucid Dreamers - correct answer knowing they are dreaming during their dream, & able to influence
theme & outcome, thoughts & emotions.
Stages of Sleep - correct answer REM and NREM
Stage 2 sleep - correct answer involves sleep spindles and K complexes
Alpha Waves - correct answer Synchronized bursts of these waves (8-12 cps) appear superimposed on
the background of the faster brain rhythm
Stage 4 sleep - correct answer EEGs show 50% or more delta waves; known as restorative sleep because
it also increases in adults in response to intense physical exertion.
REM sleep - correct answer After the first descent into deep sleep, there is a progressive lighting that
culminates at 90 minutes after sleep onset on the first REM period; As the night progress, REM periods
lengthen at the end of each 90-minute cycle; In general, normal sleepers spend 75% in NREM sleep &
25% in REM sleep over a night's sleep; dampens external sensory stimulation. Science is now aware of at
least two behavioral functions that REM sleep may serve: The 1st is memory consolidation and The 2nd
is the intrapsychic function of dreaming.
Parts of the brain tied to sleep/wake cycle - correct answer the pituitary, under control of the
hypothalamus, releases somatotrophin (growth hormone) during Stage 4 sleep, & the immune system is
particularly active.
, Neuropsychology Final Exam
Circadian Clock - correct answer nestles in the suprachiasmic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus; if left
without any natural light cues, humans will revert to about 25—hour—per-day cycles of waking &
sleeping. Natural light, or in some cases an alarm clock, apparently resynchronizes the human circadian
clock each day for functioning in accord with a 24—hour day. The two halves of the SCN lie just above
the optic chiasm & receive light via neural input from the two visual fields as they cross hemispheres to
the opposite sides of the brain; When this internal clock runs amok, sleep patterns can be greatly, even
fatally disrupted. When activated, the hypothalamus sends its molecular message to the thalamus & the
reticular activating system of the lower brain stem.
Reticular Activating Syndrome - correct answer is the primary mechanism for turning REM sleep on & off.
It maintains cortical arousal; During wakefulness, the high activity in the ascending RAS stimulates the
brain via projections into many different neurologic systems in the cortex. The stimulation that finally
reaches the occipital cortex gives rise to dream images & the corresponding rapid REM characteristic of
this stage. Many of the REM sleep occurrences have brain stem mechanisms.
Hippocampus - correct answer actively produces theta waves during REM sleep, as well as during stage 1
& stage 2 sleep
Dreams - correct answer a large percentage are reported "hostile"; most frequent themes of being
chased or falling; the content & themes of dreams may be useful in helping solve many personal
problems.
Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS) - correct answer is a serious disorder resulting from frequent episodes of
apnea (cessation of airflow) during sleep. If repeated apnea & awakening occur more than five times an
hour, the patient is diagnosed with this.
Apnea - correct answer lack of breath
Narcolepsy - correct answer The most notable disorder resulting from impaired CNS control of the sleep
—wake cycle. (Greek, "a taking hold of numbness"). are afflicted with irresistible daytime "sleep attacks."
People suffering from this can fall asleep while at work, while driving a car, or during a conversation.
Such sleep attacks can last from a few seconds to more than 30 minutes. Narcolepsy is a central nervous
system disorder of the region in the brain stem that controls & regulates sleep & wakefulness. Excessive
Daytime Sleepiness. Pathologic daytime sleepiness is often the 1st sign to emerge in narcolepsy, typically
associated with normal amounts of sleep at night.
