slow-wave sleep

American  

[sloh-weyv sleep] / ˈsloʊˈweɪv ˈslip /

noun

Physiology.

1. a recurrent period of deep sleep, typically totaling five or six hours a night, distinguished by the presence of slow brain waves and by very little dreaming. SWS

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Etymology

Origin of slow-wave sleep

First recorded in 1965–70; slow ( def. ) + wave ( def. )

Example Sentences

"However, to date we have been unsure of the role of slow-wave sleep in the development of dementia. Our findings suggest that slow wave sleep loss may be a modifiable dementia risk factor."

From Science Daily • Oct. 30, 2023

For example, electrical synapses in the thalamus are thought to regulate slow-wave sleep, and disruption of these synapses can cause seizures.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

These sleep spindles often co-occur with slow-wave sleep, a particular frequency of slowly oscillating EEG activity.

From Washington Post • Feb. 5, 2022

A separate study from 2015 found Black Americans don't spend as much time in deep, slow-wave sleep as white Americans.

From Salon • Nov. 12, 2021

In deep, or slow-wave, sleep, both cats and humans show slight muscle tension and low brain activity.

From New York Times • Oct. 11, 2017