Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice
Published on: January 25, 2016
The promnesic neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate increases paradoxical sleep in rats
M Darnaudéry1, J J Bouyer, M Pallarés
1Psychobiologie des Comportements Adaptatifs, INSERM U 259, Université Victor Segalen, Bordeaux 2, Domaine de Carreire, Rue Camille St. Saëns, 33077, Bordeaux, France.
Abstract:
The effect of systemic administration of the neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate (PREG-S) on sleep-wakefulness cycle and on spatial memory performances was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. In the first experiment, the effect of PREG-S administration (saline, 4.75, 47.5 mg/kg, i.p.) on 24 h EEG recording was evaluated. In the second experiment, spatial memory performance in a two-trial memory task was evaluated after post-acquisition administration of similar doses of PREG-S as in the first experiment. Results show that PREG-S increases paradoxical sleep and improves the performance on the memory task yielding similar dose response curves. Starting 4 h after administration of 47.5 mg/kg PREG-S, paradoxical sleep is increased for 10 h. The PREG-S effect on spatial memory lasts for at least 24 h after injection. These results suggest that an enhancement of paradoxical sleep may be involved in the promnesic effects of this neurosteroid.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Sleep-Wake Cycles
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Management of Insomnia
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Narcolepsy
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...

