Microinjection of neostigmine into the pontine reticular formation of cats enhances desynchronized sleep signs
Baghdoyan, H.A.; Monaco, A.P.; Rodrigo-Angulo, M.L.; Assens, F.; McCarley, R.W.; Hobson, J.A.
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 231(1): 173-180
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3565 PMID: 6491973 Document Number: 224826
Microinjection of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine into the dorsal pontine tegmentum of intact, freely moving cats produced significant changes in electrographic desynchronized (D) sleep signs and D sleep-like behavior. The percentage, frequency and duration of D sleep signs were increased and the latency to onset of D sleep signs was significantly reduced after neostigmine administration. The effects of neostigmine were dose-dependent and could be blocked by centrally administered atropine. This is the first demonstration that microinjection of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor into the pons enhances D sleep signs. These data suggest that endogenously released acetylcholine can initiate and maintain the state of D sleep and strongly support the cholinergic hypothesis of D sleep generation.