ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE NEURAL MECHANISMS OF SLEEP
Abstract
The aim of the research was to study with electrophysiological techniques the neural mechanisms underlying sleep. The findings obtained were summarized: two phases or stages of sleep having very well distinguished electrocortical and somato-visceral characteristics can be recognized in the cat; the desynchronized activity present during the second phase of sleep, or deep sleep, seems to result from a depression of the subcortical EEG synchronizing systems produced by the action of an inhibitory mechanism; adequate electrical excitation of the brain stem reticular formation is followed by the appearance of deep sleep; a transverse unilateral hemisection of the brain stem at pontine level prevents the appearance of the electrocortical rhythms of deep sleep on the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere; and the same transection decreases or even suppresses deep sleep itself. Findings lead to the following conclusions: the second phase of sleep, or deep sleep, has an active origin, being produced by an inhibitory or sleep-inducing influence; and the inhibitory or sleep-inducing influence responsible for deep sleep takes origin from the caudal brain stem, probably from structures of the rostral half of the pons. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0292999
Entities
People
- G.f. Rossi
Organizations
- University of Genoa