theories of sleep

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RESTORATION THEORY
A person sleeps to repair and recharge the brain and body
Energy resources are restored as well as repair and growth of tissue cells and
muscles and replenishing neurochemicals. NREM sleep restores the body and REM
sleep restores the brain through protein synthesis. This is supported by the fact a
person sleeps more during types of illness or stress…read more

EVIDENCE
Growth hormones are secreted through slow wave sleep this hormones stimulates
growth and is particularly important in childhood. It also enables growth
hormones and cell growth to take place. This is vital for the restoration of body
tissues as proteins are fragile and must be constantly renewed. GH is significantly
released during the night. Supports the fact that NREM sleep restores the body.
High brain activity of REM sleep provides evidence of brain recovery as brain
processes are renewed and neurochemicals replenished. Babies sleep patens are
consistent with REM restoration as they spent much longer periods of time
sleeping than adults.…read more

SLEEP DEPRIVATION
Jouvet
A cat was placed onto a plant pot with water underneath it. It was allowed
to go into NREM sleep between the stages of 1-4, however whenever it
went into REM sleep it would fall into the water. This eventually led to the
death of the cat, which shows NREM sleep is essential for survival.
· However cats may have different sleeping processes to humans and
therefore this research cannot be applied as humans are different species
· It is unethical as the cat was not allowed to move or sleep which led to
the consequences of death, the cat was mistreated.…read more

SLEEP DEPRIVATION
A rat was placed on a turn table where every time they slept the table
would move, therefore the rat would have to wake up in order to avoid
falling into the water. They where given food and water and their brain
paten was measured using electrodes to measure when they slept. This
was a study of total sleep deprivation the rat died after 33 days. However
the post morton showed the rats had stomach ulcers so the rats are likely
to have died because of stress not sleep deprivation.
Unethical as the rats where harmed causing them stress and this
eventually led to death of the animal
Cannot be generalised to humans as completely different species so we
would react differently if in the same situation.…read more

THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Lack of slow wave sleep has been associated with reduced
functioning of the immune system which is the bodies
defence against viruses and bacteria. Antibodies are
regenerated during cell growth and protein synthesis in
SWS.
Negative effects of total sleep deprivation:
Randy Gardner ­ had an elven day period of total sleep
deprivation. He only recovered 25% of overall sleep. This is
against the theory as if sleep was required for restoration
he would have slept for longer.
· Case study cannot be generalised but lots of detailed
information.…read more