Arousal Syndromes: First Functional Unit Revisited

Abstract

Arousal disorders involve alterations in the state or activation of the brain. These disorders may be generalized, affecting both cerebral hemispheres. But, very often, the disorder is localized to one or the other brain or to specific areas within the brain. In some cases, these may be visualized with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) scan technologies with behavior, affect, and cognition being the more sensitive indicators. We are more familiar with the arousal disorders, in the traditional sense, in individuals suffering from extreme arousal variants with coma or stupor. However, generalized arousal deficits have frequently been attributed to “mental retardation” and to other problems. Moreover, an alteration in arousal may be beneficial as Thomas Edison manipulated his sleep states to enhance creativity and to foster his inventions of such things as the light bulb, perhaps. By popular account, Edison would hold a steel ball or marble in his hand as he drifted off to sleep. But with the onset of dream sleep or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, characterized by an abrupt onset of body paralysis, the ball would fall out of his hand and the noise, upon striking the floor, would awaken him. In this altered state, he would readdress his inventions and critical thinking for new inspirations and solutions.