Cyclic alterations of blink reflexes: an EEG and EMG study during wakefulness and sleep

Studies of the blink reflex were undertaken in twelve normal subjects during wakefulness and different sleep stages. The early R1 and the late R2 components of the reflex were analyzed. R1 was present in only one subject during stage I sleep and subsequently disappeared in stage II to IV. In all subjects, R2 was gradually diminished and totally disappeared during stage IV. During the REM stage, R1 was seen in only four-out-of-twelve subjects but all R2 returned. Alterations of R1 and R2 of the blink reflex during different sleep stages suggest that the underlying mechanism includes both supranuclear and infranuclear activities. Our finding strengthens further the notion of dual hyponogenic mechanisms for sleep.