A clinically significant deterioration in the quality, structure, and proportional duration of the distinct stages of the sleep cycle, including NREM (stages N1, N2, N3/Slow-Wave Sleep) and REM sleep. Degradation is characterized by reduced Slow-Wave Sleep (SWS), diminished REM density, and increased sleep fragmentation, compromising the restorative functions of sleep. This is a critical factor in hormonal dysregulation and cognitive decline.
Origin
This term is fundamental to polysomnography and sleep medicine, where “sleep architecture” refers to the cyclical pattern of sleep stages, and “degradation” denotes a departure from the healthy, organized pattern. The clinical importance lies in the stage-specific functions, such as growth hormone release during SWS.
Mechanism
Hormonal factors significantly contribute to this degradation; for instance, elevated nocturnal cortisol from HPA axis overdrive can increase sleep latency and reduce SWS duration. Furthermore, the disruption of the circadian rhythm by light exposure or irregular schedules desynchronizes the sleep-wake cycle, leading to fragmentation. The loss of SWS specifically impairs glucose metabolism and reduces the pulsatile release of growth hormone, accelerating metabolic aging and reducing cellular repair.
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