Sleep has been of interest for many centuries as most species participate in the act of sleeping. Studies of sleeping animals have increased our knowledge of the basic mechanisms and revealed that impaired sleep quality increases the chance of developing cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic disorders. 

Commonly Used Species in Sleep Research

Electrophysiology

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is the most commonly used tool in sleep research. EEG detects changes in electrical signals from the brain, in real-time, for analysis of sleep stages. Electromyogram (EMG) or Electrooculogram (EOG) can be combined with EEG to detect muscle tone and eye movement, respectively, to add additional validity ot the observations. According to the frequency contents of EMG/EOG muscular activities, the sleep stages can be subdivided between rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep
(light and slow wave sleep). 

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Google Scholar Indexes 608 Publications Citing DSI, Sleep and EEG

Respiratory

During a majority of sleep, respiration is regular with noted decreases in rate and minute volume when compared to wakefulness. The exception to this is during REM sleep when shallow, irregular, and increased breathing patterns occur. Researchers study basic respiratory mechanisms of sleep, as well as sleeping related disorders, to gain a better understanding of respiratory function during different sleep stages. One commonly studied disorder is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which causes a decrease in muscle tone in the upper airway, leading to reduced oxygenation during sleep. OSA has been linked to disorders of the cardiovascular, metabolic, and endocrine systems. In addition, many neurological disorders, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and movement disorders have been shown to cause respiratory complications during sleep. Researchers can use restrained or unrestrained techniques, depending on their model, to acquire a variety of respiratory endpoints in their sleep studies.

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Google Scholar Indexes 605 Publications Citing Buxco and Sleep

Cardiovascular

Sleeping too little, too much, or irregular sleeping patterns have all been linked to having a negative effect on cardiovascular function. One theory is that dysfunctional sleep can activate an inflammatory response, increasing a persons risk of coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke. With cardiovascular disease being the number one cause of death in the world, researchers are using animal models to better understand the link between sleep and cardiovascular function.

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Google Scholar Indexes 329 Publications Citing DSI, Seizure and EEG

Circadian Rhythm

Circadian rhythm is an important component of mammalian physiology and plays a large role in sleep-wake cycles, core body temperature, hormone balance, and eating patterns. Disturbances with circadian rhythm can be seen in those that experience jet lag, shift work, and certain medical conditions. Researchers look at the cardiovascular system, core body temperature, glucose levels, behavior, and sleeping patterns to evaluate circadian rhythm and the effects of alterations to normal rhythms. 

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Google Scholar Indexes 856 Publications Citing DSI and Circadian Rhythm

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