Behavioral, neurophysiological and evolutionary perspectives on unihemispheric sleep

摘要: Several animals mitigate the fundamental conflict between sleep and wakefulness by engaging in unihemispheric sleep, a unique state during which one cerebral hemisphere sleeps while other remains awake. Among mammals, is restricted to aquatic species (Cetaceans, eared seals manatees). In contrast widespread birds, may even occur reptiles. Unihemispheric allows surfacing breathe mammals predator detection birds. Despite apparent utility being able unihemispherically, very few this manner. This particularly interesting since reptilian ancestors have slept unihemispherically. The relative absence of suggests that trade off exists adaptive brain functions occurring or wakefulness. Presumably, benefits sleeping unihemispherically only outweigh costs under extreme circumstances such as at sea. Ultimately, greater understanding reasons for little promises provide insight into general.