Gudden's dorsal tegmental nucleus is activated in carbachol-induced active (REM) sleep and active wakefulness

Previous studies have shown that GABAergic processes in the ponto-mesencephalic region of the brainstem are involved in the generation of wakefulness and active sleep (AS). The dorsal and ventral tegmental nuclei of Gudden (DTN and VTN, respectively) are known to contain a large population of GABAergic neurons. In the present study, utilizing Fos immunoreactivity as a marker of neuronal activity, it was determined that GABAergic DTN pars dorsalis neurons are active during active wakefulness and AS induced by carbachol, but not during quiet wakefulness or quiet sleep. In contrast, no differences in the number of Fos immunoreactive neurons were observed in the DTN pars ventralis and VTN across behavioral states.