[Segmental organization of sleep].

Segmental organization of sleep was studied in healthy subjects and insomniac patients. Theoretical and practical aspects of sleep organization are discussed. The disintegration syndrome (decreased stability of development of sleep stage segments and change in sleep stage sequence characteristic of normal sleep) is an inherent feature of sleep disorders and a fine index of adaptive possibilities of sleep systems. It is suggested that each segment of any sleep stage has its specific functional role different from the functional significance of the stage as a whole. Depending on the time of appearance of any specific segment, it can be an important preliminary of transition to another functional state and be involved in preparation for triggering corresponding sleep-organizing systems. At the same time, it can be a reflection of the process of estimation of the achieved result. The dynamic change in sleep stages is determined by subsequent activation of different brain structures and also suggests a possibility of a change in the functional role of a certain stage depending on the initial functional state of sleep systems.