Journal article
The development of sleep-wake rhythms and the search for elemental circuits in the infant brain
Behavioral neuroscience, Vol.128(3), pp.250-263
06/2014
DOI: 10.1037/a0035891
PMCID: PMC4062979
PMID: 24708298
Abstract
Despite the predominance of sleep in early infancy, developmental science has yet to play a major role in shaping concepts and theories about sleep and its associated ultradian and circadian rhythms. Here we argue that developmental analyses help us to elucidate the relative contributions of the brainstem and forebrain to sleep-wake control and to dissect the neural components of sleep-wake rhythms. Developmental analysis also makes it clear that sleep-wake processes in infants are the foundation for those of adults. For example, the infant brainstem alone contains a fundamental sleep-wake circuit that is sufficient to produce transitions among wakefulness, quiet sleep, and active sleep. In addition, consistent with the requirements of a "flip-flop" model of sleep-wake processes, this brainstem circuit supports rapid transitions between states. Later in development, strengthening bidirectional interactions between the brainstem and forebrain contribute to the consolidation of sleep and wake bouts, the elaboration of sleep homeostatic processes, and the emergence of diurnal or nocturnal circadian rhythms. The developmental perspective promoted here critically constrains theories of sleep-wake control and provides a needed framework for the creation of fully realized computational models. Finally, with a better understanding of how this system is constructed developmentally, we will gain insight into the processes that govern its disintegration due to aging and disease.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The development of sleep-wake rhythms and the search for elemental circuits in the infant brain
- Creators
- Mark S Blumberg - Department of Psychology, The University of IowaAndrew J Gall - Department of Psychology, Michigan State UniversityWilliam D Todd - Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Behavioral neuroscience, Vol.128(3), pp.250-263
- DOI
- 10.1037/a0035891
- PMID
- 24708298
- PMCID
- PMC4062979
- NLM abbreviation
- Behav Neurosci
- ISSN
- 0735-7044
- eISSN
- 1939-0084
- Publisher
- United States
- Grant note
- MH66424 / NIMH NIH HHS HD63071 / NICHD NIH HHS K02 MH066424 / NIMH NIH HHS R01 HD063071 / NICHD NIH HHS F32 NS083360 / NINDS NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/2014
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Biology
- Record Identifier
- 9984070538702771
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