Cholinergic antagonists and REM sleep generation

doi:10.1016/0006-8993(91)91064-8

Brain Research

Volume 543, Issue 1, 8 March 1991, Pages 175-179

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(91)91064-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

In this study we extended our observations on the role of M₁ and M₂ muscarinic receptors in mediating the cholinergic induction of REM sleep. Cats were chronically implanted with sleep recording electrodes and microinjections of Ringer's or muscarinic antagonists followed by the relatively specific M₂ muscarinic agonist, cis-methyl-dioxolane (cisdioxo), were made into the medial pontine reticular formation (mPRF). The microinjection of Ringer's followed by cisdioxo significantly increased REM sleep percentage. Atropine, a mixed muscarinic receptor antagonist, administered before cisdioxo blocked the REM sleep increase while pirenzepine, a selective M₁ muscarinic antagonist, did not block the cisdioxo-induced increase in REM sleep. Gallamine, a nicotinic and a putative M₂ antagonist, tended to inhibit the cisdioxo-induced increase in REM sleep. These results support the hypothesis that the cholinergic stimulation-induced REM sleep in the medial pontine reticular formation is mediated by a non-M₁ muscarinic receptor subtype.

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: The authors would like to thank Dr. Leonid Margolin and Mr. Frank Taylor of the VAMC animal research facility for their skillful assistance in surgery and care of the animals.

²: Supported by NIH, VAMC Research Service, and NIMH-38738.

¹: Supported by NIH NS25212, American Narcolepsy Association

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Cholinergic antagonists and REM sleep generation

Abstract

Brain Research

Brain Research

Brain Research

Life Sci.

Exp. Neurol.

Brain Research

Brain Research

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

Brain Research

Neurosci. Lett.

Brain Research

Neurosci. Lett.