Rapid eye movement sleep

About: Rapid eye movement sleep is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3740 publications have been published within this topic receiving 183415 citations. The topic is also known as: REM sleep & REMS.

Conditions that affect sleep alter the expression of molecules associated with synaptic plasticity.

Abstract: Many theories propose that sleep serves a purpose in synaptic plasticity. We tested the hypothesis, therefore, that manipulation of sleep would affect the expression of molecules known to be involved in synaptic plasticity. mRNA expression of four molecules [brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)] was determined after 8 h of sleep deprivation and after 6 h of a mild increase in ambient temperature, a condition that enhances sleep in rats. After sleep deprivation, BDNF, Arc, and tPA mRNAs in the cerebral cortex increased while MMP-9 mRNA levels decreased. Conversely, after enhanced ambient temperature, BDNF, Arc, and tPA mRNAs decreased while MMP-9 mRNA increased. In the hippocampus, sleep deprivation did not significantly affect BDNF and tPA expression, although Arc mRNA increased and MMP-9 mRNA decreased. Brain temperature enhancement decreased Arc mRNA levels in the hippocampus but did not affect BDNF, MMP-9, or tPA in this area. Results are consistent with the notion that sleep plays a role in synaptic plasticity.

The influence of induced hypocapnia and sleep on the endogenous respiratory rhythm in humans.

Abstract: 1. Ventilation has been studied during hypocapnia produced by passive mechanical ventilation in ten normal human subjects. 2. During wakefulness, disconnection of the ventilator led to inconsistent apnoea of only brief duration. During sleep, at a similar degree of hypocapnia, disconnection of the ventilator led more consistently to apnoea which was also of much longer duration; the deeper the sleep stage, the longer the apnoea. 3. The resumption of breathing during sleep could precede or follow arousal or be unaccompanied by arousal; in the absence of prior arousal, the evidence suggests that a starting end-tidal CO2 pressure (PET, CO2) less than 41 mmHg could result in an apnoea during sleep stages I and II. 4. Subjects did not report any common sensation which led them to breathe following an apnoea whilst awake. 5. Prior hyperoxia in one subject prolonged the apnoea duration in both slow-wave sleep and rapid eye movement sleep. 6. The results are interpreted as showing that even during light sleep, the maintenance of the respiratory rhythm is critically dependent on the arterial CO2 and O2 tensions. During wakefulness, other behavioural drives, which may not reach consciousness, supervene.

Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder and subtypes in autopsy‐confirmed dementia with Lewy bodies

Abstract: OBJECTIVE—To determine whether dementia with Lewy bodies with or without probable rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder differ clinically or pathologically. METHODS—Patients with dementia with Lewy bodies who have probable rapid eye movement sleep behavior sleep disorder (n=71) were compared to those without it (n=19) on demographics, clinical variables (core features of dementia with Lewy bodies, dementia duration, rate of cognitive/motor changes) and pathologic indices (Lewy body distribution, neuritic plaque score, Braak neurofibrillary tangle stage). RESULTS—Individuals with probable rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder were predominantly male (82% versus 47%), and had a shorter duration of dementia (mean 8 years versus 10 years), earlier onset of parkinsonism (mean 2 years versus 5 years), and earlier onset of visual hallucinations (mean 3 years versus 6 years). These patients also had a lower Braak neurofibrillary tangle stage (Stage IV versus Stage VI) and lower neuritic plaque scores (18% frequent versus 85% frequent), but no difference in Lewy body distribution. When probable rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder developed early (at or before dementia onset), the onset of parkinsonism and hallucinations was earlier and Braak neurofibrillary tangle stage was lower compared to those who developed the sleep disorder after dementia onset. Women with autopsyconfirmed DLB without a history of dream enactment behavior during sleep had a later onset of hallucinations and parkinsonism and a higher Braak NFT stage.

Continuous pontine cholinergic microinfusion via mini-pump induces sustained alterations in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

Abstract: Although there is much evidence that single microinjections of cholinomimetics into the pontine reticular formation (PRF) evokes rapid eye movement sleep (REMS), no study has yet demonstrated whether protracted manipulations of PRF cholinergic levels can produce sustained alteration of this sleep state. In this study, in rats, an indwelling, chronically implanted osmotic mini-pump was used to infuse carbachol, scopolamine, or saline solutions into various brainstem regions or the fourth ventricle for a period of five consecutive days. Throughout the period of pump operation, carbachol infusions chiefly in the PRF produced sustained REMS augmentation primarily during the night cycle, whereas scopolamine produced a sustained decrease in REMS primarily during the day cycle. The findings provide considerable support for a PRF cholinergic hypothesis of REMS generation and regulation and suggest that the alterations in REMS result from a muscarinic receptor mediated change in PRF neuronal activity.