Definition of sleep. Methodological aspects of the human sleep research. Sleep organization: REM sleep and NREM sleep, cycle, episode. Experimental manipulation of sleep (sleep deprivation, sleep disorganization) and its effects on behavioural and cognitive processes . Ontogenesis and phylogenesis of sleep. Neurophysiology and neurochemistry of sleep. Psychology of sleep: memory and dream. Psycho-pathology and sleep.
Selected parts:
Ficca G. & Fabbri M. Psicologia del sonno, Maggioli Editore, Santarcangelo di Romagna, 2019
Learning Objectives
a) General aims: The course aims at providing basic knowledge of methodological aspects of sleep research and its physiological and psychological processes.
b) Specific aims: The course aims at providing familiarity of methodological issues on sleep research field, basic knowledge of biological rhythms, of physiological aspects of sleep processes, of sleep psychology and sleep disturbances.
c) Expected results: The course aims at providing knowledge of experimental and pathological factors able to modify sleep and the ability to recognize those modifications. The course aims also to make students able critically analyze scientific articles about sleep research.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of human biology, anatomy and physiology
Teaching Methods
The lecturer will utilize technology such as PowerPoint presentations and videos during frontal classes.
Some training sessions will be performed to learn how to design experimental procedures in sleep research and to present and discuss research articles.
Self-report instruments will be presented to familiarize with the most relevant themes. Practical demonstrations and the possibility to take part to experiments
Further information
Some seminars will be organized to further discuss some relevant issues.
Type of Assessment
Written examination. The student’s knowledge will be evaluated by means of a written examination, made of multiple choice and open questions.
During the final examination students will be also requested to motivate and discuss some current research studies. Students will be encouraged to use a specific and correct psychological language.
Course program
Methodological aspects of sleep research: objective and subjective instruments to evaluate sleep. Physiology and neurochemistry of sleep. Sleep manipulation paradigms: total, partial and selective sleep deprivation, sleep fragmentation, sleep disorganization and sleep extension. Effects of sleep manipulations on behaviour and cognitive function (memory and attention). Biological rhythms: circadian, ultradian and infradian rhythms. Sleep in animals. Sleep across the life span. Sleep effects on memory processes. Mental activity during sleep (dreaming). Sleep disturbances in infancy, in the adults and in the elderly.