In which type of patients may sleep spindles be more irregular or of lower voltage?

Sleep spindles are bursts of oscillatory brain activity that occur most commonly during NREM sleep, particularly in stage 2 sleep. In elderly patients, it is observed that sleep spindles may appear more irregular or exhibit lower voltage compared to younger adults. This change is often attributed to age-related alterations in brain structure and function, which can lead to a decrease in the overall quality and architecture of sleep.

As individuals age, their sleep patterns often change, leading to lighter sleep and increased awakenings. The integrity of the thalamocortical networks, which are crucial for generating sleep spindles, may decline with age. This rise in irregularity and decreased voltage in spindles can serve as indicators of disrupted sleep architecture that is often seen in the elderly population. Recognizing these changes in spindle characteristics can be important for understanding sleep disorders and cognitive decline associated with aging.

In contrast, children typically show more pronounced sleep spindles as their sleep patterns and brain maturation are still developing. Adults generally exhibit stable patterns of sleep spindles, and individuals with insomnia may experience sleep disturbances but do not inherently have more irregular spindles compared to the elderly.