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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice
Published on: January 25, 2016
Acute and subchronic administration of anandamide or oleamide increases REM sleep in rats
Andrea Herrera-Solís1, Khalil Guzmán Vásquez, Oscar Prospéro-García
1Laboratorio de Canabinoides, Grupo de Neurociencias, Departamento de Fisiología, Apdo. Postal 70-250, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico, D.F., Mexico.
Abstract:
Anandamide and oleamide, induce sleep when administered acutely, via the CB1 receptor. Their subchronic administration must be tested to demonstrate the absence of tolerance to this effect, and that the sudden withdrawal of these endocannabinoids (eCBs) does not affect sleep negatively. The sleep-waking cycle of rats was evaluated for 24h, under the effect of an acute or subchronic administration of eCBs, and during sudden eCBs withdrawal. AM251, a CB1 receptor antagonist (CB1Ra) was utilized to block eCBs effects. Our results indicated that both acute and subchronic administration of eCBs increase REMS. During eCBs withdrawal, rats lack the expression of an abstinence-like syndrome. AM251 was efficacious to prevent REMS increase caused by both acute and subchronic administration of these eCBs, suggesting that this effect is mediated by the CB1 receptor. Our data further support a role of the eCBs in REMS regulation.
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