Effects of REMS deprivation on striatal dopamine and acetylcholine in rats

Changes in the concentration of striatal dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh) in rats deprived of REM sleep for 10 days were compared with those obtained after a 4 day deprivation procedure. Animals placed on small (7 cm dia.) islands surrounded by water were completely deprived of REM sleep but able to obtain some slow-wave sleep. Concentration of striatal DA was significantly increased after 4 days and 10 days of REM sleep deprivation by 73 and 133%, respectively when compared to controls. Levels of ACh in the striatum were significantly enhanced (by 28%) after 10 day, but failed to show significant change after 4 day REM sleep deprivation procedure. The short term locomotor activity was significantly higher in REM sleep-deprived animals. Our data indicate that REM sleep deprivation results in marked alterations of both cholinergic and dopaminergic mechanisms in the rat striatum.