Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation01:13

Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation

The reticular formation is a complex network of gray and white matter located within the brainstem extending from the medulla to the midbrain.
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Understanding Sleep01:11

Understanding Sleep

Sleep, an essential biological state, involves significant reductions in physical activity, sensory awareness, and interaction with the environment. This complex physiological process is primarily regulated by specific brain regions, notably the hypothalamus and pons, which govern the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

Sleep progresses through distinct stages, each characterized by specific brain wave patterns and physiological responses ranging from wakefulness to stages of non-rapid eye movement, known as non-REM, to rapid eye movement, referred to as REM. Understanding these stages helps in recognizing how sleep supports various bodily and cognitive functions.
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Abnormalities in thalamo-cortical connections in patients with first-episode schizophrenia: a two-tensor tractography study.

Brain imaging and behavior·2018
Same author

Widespread white matter microstructural differences in schizophrenia across 4322 individuals: results from the ENIGMA Schizophrenia DTI Working Group.

Molecular psychiatry·2017
Same author

Disrupted sleep-wake regulation in type 1 equilibrative nucleoside transporter knockout mice.

Neuroscience·2015
Same author

Analysis of schizophrenia-related genes and electrophysiological measures reveals ZNF804A association with amplitude of P300b elicited by novel sounds.

Translational psychiatry·2014
Same author

Dream Bizarreness as the Cognitive Correlate of Altered Neuronal Behavior in REM Sleep.

Journal of cognitive neuroscience·2013
Same author

Sleep active cortical neurons expressing neuronal nitric oxide synthase are active after both acute sleep deprivation and chronic sleep restriction.

Neuroscience·2013

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons
09:04

Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons

Published on: September 14, 2016

Sleep cycle oscillation: reciprocal discharge by two brainstem neuronal groups.

J A Hobson, R W McCarley, P W Wyzinski

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |June 4, 1975
    PubMed
    Summary

    Neurons in the cat brain

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Sleep Science
    • Animal Behavior

    Background:

    • The sleep cycle involves complex neural activity.
    • Understanding brain mechanisms of sleep is crucial.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • Investigate neural activity during sleep in cats.
    • Explore the basis of sleep cycle oscillations.

    Main Methods:

    • Recording neuronal discharge rates in specific brain regions.
    • Analyzing activity patterns of interconnected neuronal populations.

    Main Results:

    • Neurons in the locus coeruleus and subcoeruleus showed opposite discharge rates compared to pontine reticular giant cells.
    • Observed inverse rate ratios and activity curves between these neuronal groups.

    More Related Videos

    Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice
    10:56

    Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice

    Published on: August 2, 2017

    Optogenetic Manipulation of Neural Circuits During Monitoring Sleep/wakefulness States in Mice
    08:58

    Optogenetic Manipulation of Neural Circuits During Monitoring Sleep/wakefulness States in Mice

    Published on: June 19, 2019

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Jul 9, 2026

    Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons
    09:04

    Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons

    Published on: September 14, 2016

    Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice
    10:56

    Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice

    Published on: August 2, 2017

    Optogenetic Manipulation of Neural Circuits During Monitoring Sleep/wakefulness States in Mice
    08:58

    Optogenetic Manipulation of Neural Circuits During Monitoring Sleep/wakefulness States in Mice

    Published on: June 19, 2019

    Conclusions:

    • The findings suggest reciprocal interaction between these neuronal populations.
    • This interaction likely forms the physiological basis for sleep cycle oscillation.