title: Basic biology of sleep.
abstract: Sleep can be defined as a complex reversible state characterized by behavioral quiescence, diminished responsiveness to external stimuli, and a stereotypical species-specific posture. Both components of sleep, non-rapid eye movement and rapid eye movement, are generated and maintained by central nervous system networks that use specific neurotransmitters located in specific areas of the brain. Widespread changes in physiologic processes occur during sleep, and these changes may influence the presentation and severity of specific medical disorders.
authors.affiliation: Division of Sleep Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA. harringtonj@njhealth.org
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: Teofilo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lee-Chiong
mesh_terms: D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D050479:Neurotransmitter Transport Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D017286:Polysomnography; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology; D013787:Thalamic Nuclei / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D050479:Neurotransmitter Transport Proteins