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Definition of NREM Sleep

By Brandon Peters, M.D., About.com

Created: February 12, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition: This is one of the two basic states of sleep and is notable for an absence of rapid eye movement (REM). It consists of three stages (N1, N2, and N3) of distinctly recognizable electrical brain wave patterns. It makes up the largest portion of the sleep cycle.
Also Known As: Non-rapid eye movement sleep
Examples: NREM sleep is the most common type of sleep during the night.
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