In polysomnography, what is a possible outcome of increased cortical activity?

In the context of polysomnography, increased cortical activity is often associated with wakefulness or lighter stages of sleep. When cortical activity rises, it can indicate that the brain is more alert and engaged, which can lead to a decrease in the depth of sleep. This means that instead of deep, restorative sleep, an individual might experience lighter sleep stages, resulting in a feeling of less refreshment upon waking and potentially impacting overall sleep quality.

Additionally, while enhanced REM sleep can be present due to other factors, it is more directly related to certain physiological conditions and is not a straightforward consequence of increased cortical activity. Napping does not necessarily correlate with increased cortical activity, as it can occur in various states of arousal. Decreased arousal is typically a product of reduced cortical activity rather than increased activity. Thus, recognizing the relationship between cortical activity and sleep depth provides clarity in understanding how brain function impacts sleep stages.