HealthAugust 10, 2026

microsleeps

MY-kroh-sleeps

Definition

Brief, uncontrollable episodes of sleep lasting 15 seconds or less, often characterized by slowing brain wave activity as detected on an EEG.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek prefix 'mikros' meaning 'small' and the Middle English 'sleep'. It reflects a modern clinical understanding of fragmented, ultra-short periods of neural sleep.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe a specific symptom of narcolepsy that causes significant psychosocial burden, as these brief lapses in consciousness can happen unexpectedly in public settings.

New in Narcolepsy: Pharmacology Updates

Read the full article ↗

Psychiatric Times

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