One of the most mysterious things in the life of a human being since time immemorial is sleep. What controls it, and how do we wake up? What keeps our body functions running even when we are in the deepest form of sleep? There is no doubt that the questions are endless. The good news is that most of these questions have been answered through research. The reticular activating system (RAS) is now believed to be a significant component of the sleep wake cycle.
Scientists first encountered the RAS in 1949 and what we know today has its basis on this breakthrough discovery. It was established that the system is made up of multiple nuclei located in the brain stem and the thalamus. The name comes about because of the presence of numerous fibres that interconnect these fibres forming a reticular pattern. If the fibres are damaged for one reason or another, there will be disorders in sleep.
The circuits that make up the RAS are modulated by a number of chemicals in the central nervous system known as neurotransmitters. There are two groups of these chemicals; cholinergic and adrenergic. Depending on the situation, these chemicals may work synergistically or competitively. Glutamate is the cholinergic neurotransmitter involved while adrenaline is the main adrenergic neurotransmitter. The release of these transmitters results in increased wakefulness.
Facilitating the sleep wake transition is thought to be the main role of RAS. The degree of activation is determined by the depth of sleep from which one has to wake up from; the deeper the sleep the greater the degree of activation and vice versa. Another important role is that of mediating increased levels of attention whenever such a need arises.
The RAS is central to survival. It helps in providing information that is needed immediately particularly in stressful situations. It is an entry portal for a great amount of information. At any given point in time, there are many things happening in our environment. This includes almost all forms of stimuli such as sight, touch, auditory and taste. Filtering is done and your brain will only respond to what is most important at the time.
There are a number of factors that have been found to affect the system negatively. Preterm deliveries are one of the factors that may compromise the RAS functioning. A good number of children born preterm shows signs of disturbed sleep wake cycle. This problem may persist into adulthood. Smoking during pregnancy is another factor that notoriously affects the cycle. The children will often suffer excessive arousal.
There are a number of diseases that are now known to be associated with a disorder of RAS. Most are due to a reduction in the reactivity of the system. This often happens with advancing age and may predispose affected persons to a variety of illnesses. Examples of diseases falling in this category include, among others, attention deficit disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and narcolepsy.
As a leader, one needs to always be in control of their RAS. This can be achieved by undergoing regular thought training. Taking care of personal issues in timely issues helps free up your mind. It is also very important that you have properly planned short term and long term goals.
Scientists first encountered the RAS in 1949 and what we know today has its basis on this breakthrough discovery. It was established that the system is made up of multiple nuclei located in the brain stem and the thalamus. The name comes about because of the presence of numerous fibres that interconnect these fibres forming a reticular pattern. If the fibres are damaged for one reason or another, there will be disorders in sleep.
The circuits that make up the RAS are modulated by a number of chemicals in the central nervous system known as neurotransmitters. There are two groups of these chemicals; cholinergic and adrenergic. Depending on the situation, these chemicals may work synergistically or competitively. Glutamate is the cholinergic neurotransmitter involved while adrenaline is the main adrenergic neurotransmitter. The release of these transmitters results in increased wakefulness.
Facilitating the sleep wake transition is thought to be the main role of RAS. The degree of activation is determined by the depth of sleep from which one has to wake up from; the deeper the sleep the greater the degree of activation and vice versa. Another important role is that of mediating increased levels of attention whenever such a need arises.
The RAS is central to survival. It helps in providing information that is needed immediately particularly in stressful situations. It is an entry portal for a great amount of information. At any given point in time, there are many things happening in our environment. This includes almost all forms of stimuli such as sight, touch, auditory and taste. Filtering is done and your brain will only respond to what is most important at the time.
There are a number of factors that have been found to affect the system negatively. Preterm deliveries are one of the factors that may compromise the RAS functioning. A good number of children born preterm shows signs of disturbed sleep wake cycle. This problem may persist into adulthood. Smoking during pregnancy is another factor that notoriously affects the cycle. The children will often suffer excessive arousal.
There are a number of diseases that are now known to be associated with a disorder of RAS. Most are due to a reduction in the reactivity of the system. This often happens with advancing age and may predispose affected persons to a variety of illnesses. Examples of diseases falling in this category include, among others, attention deficit disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and narcolepsy.
As a leader, one needs to always be in control of their RAS. This can be achieved by undergoing regular thought training. Taking care of personal issues in timely issues helps free up your mind. It is also very important that you have properly planned short term and long term goals.
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