Can physiological sleepiness underlie consciously perceived sleepiness assessed with the Epworth sleepiness scale?

Editorial on the special issue on brain physiology meets complex systems

“…Dorokhov et al. [ 13 ] revealed the physiologic underpinnings of subjectively assessed sleepiness in the study of afternoon napping attempts of university students. They concluded that, given that these students demonstrated the signs of elevated sleep pressure during such napping attempts and that they are chronically sleep deprived during weekdays (when they are attending classes), their self-reports on excessive daytime sleepiness can be trusted.…”

“…However, research of the subjective concept of sleepiness produced many controversial questions, including such questions as whether the physiological component of subjective feeling of sleepiness can be precisely defined in scientific terms, and whether the reliable physiological markers of subjective sleepiness can be identified. Dorokhov et al [13] revealed the physiologic underpinnings of subjectively assessed sleepiness in the study of afternoon napping attempts of university students. They concluded that, given that these students demonstrated the signs of elevated sleep pressure during such napping attempts and that they are chronically sleep deprived during weekdays (when they are attending classes), their selfreports on excessive daytime sleepiness can be trusted.…”