BRPT Sleep Physiology and Neuroanatomy 3

Question 1

The glymphatic system, active primarily during sleep, functions to:

Accepted Answer

Clear adenosine and metabolic waste from brain tissue

Answer

The glymphatic system uses cerebrospinal fluid flow to flush adenosine and neurotoxic waste products from the brain, operating most efficiently during slow-wave sleep.

Question 2

Which term describes the recurring 90–110 minute NREM-REM cycling pattern that repeats throughout the night?

Accepted Answer

Ultradian rhythm

Answer

The ultradian rhythm is the within-night cycling of NREM and REM sleep that repeats every 90–110 minutes across 4–6 cycles.

Question 3

During REM sleep, thermoregulation is suppressed and humans temporarily become:

Accepted Answer

Poikilothermic (unable to thermoregulate)

Answer

REM sleep suppresses hypothalamic thermoregulatory drive, making humans transiently poikilothermic and dependent on ambient temperature.

Question 4

The circadian nadir of core body temperature and peak sleepiness in a normal sleeper typically occurs at approximately:

Accepted Answer

2 AM – 4 AM

Answer

The circadian trough of alertness and core body temperature falls between approximately 2–4 AM in individuals maintaining a conventional sleep schedule.

Question 5

The ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO) promotes sleep onset by:

Accepted Answer

Releasing GABA and galanin to inhibit wake-promoting nuclei

Answer

The VLPO releases GABA and galanin to inhibit histaminergic, noradrenergic, and serotonergic wake-promoting regions, acting as a sleep-promoting 'flip-flop switch.'

BRPT - Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists Practice Test

BRPT - Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists Practice Test

BRPT Sleep Physiology and Neuroanatomy 3