Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Sleep-Wake Cycles

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:

Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation

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...

Understanding Sleep

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...

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

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...

Organization of the Brain

Organization of the Brain

The brain is an integral component of the nervous system and serves as the center for processing sensory inputs, making decisions, and directing bodily actions. This complex organ is organized into three primary sections: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, each responsible for a range of vital functions.
Hindbrain
The hindbrain, located at the base of the brain, plays a vital role in regulating automatic processes that sustain life. It includes the medulla oblongata, which is essential for...

Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation

Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation

The biological clock is involved in many aspects of regulating complex physiology in all animals. It was in 1935 when German zoologists, Hans Kalmus and Erwin Bünning, discovered the existence of circadian rhythm in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the internal molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock remained a mystery until 1984, when Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young discovered the expression of the Per gene oscillating over a 24-hour cycle. In subsequent years,...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

The adenosine A<sub>2A</sub> receptor antagonist KW6002 mitigates aldosterone-induced central serous chorioretinopathy in mice.

Neuropharmacology·2026

Same author

Discovery of Trolox amide derivatives as potent membrane-targeted ferroptosis inhibitors for corneal injury therapy.

European journal of medicinal chemistry·2026

Same author

Adenosine signaling: the convergent hub in antidepressant action.

Trends in molecular medicine·2026

Same author

40 Hz light flickering alleviates chronic pain via adenosine signaling in the retina-amygdala pathway.

Cell research·2026

Same author

Homeostatic adenosine signaling unifies rapid antidepressant actions of ketamine, electroconvulsive therapy and hypoxia.

Science bulletin·2026

Same author

40 Hz flicker preconditioning protects nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy via adenosine signaling.

Communications biology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

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

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

Published on: June 19, 2019

How do the basal ganglia regulate sleep-wake behavior?

Michael Lazarus¹, Zhi-Li Huang, Jun Lu

¹Department of Molecular Behavioral Biology, Osaka Bioscience Institute, 6-2-4 Furuedai, Suita, Osaka 565-0874, Japan.

Trends in Neurosciences

|August 4, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The basal ganglia (BG) integrate arousal with motor control and reward behaviors. Adenosine and dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) may induce wakefulness via cortical activation.

More Related Videos

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice

Published on: January 25, 2016

Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons

Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons

Published on: September 14, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 19, 2026

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

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

Published on: June 19, 2019

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice

Published on: January 25, 2016

Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons

Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons

Published on: September 14, 2016

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Sleep Science
Neurobiology

Background:

The basal ganglia (BG) are crucial for motor control, habit formation, and reward processing.
The integration of arousal with these striatal functions is an emerging area of research.
Previous findings highlight the striatum and globus pallidus in sleep-wake regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore anatomical and molecular mechanisms of sleep-wake regulation within the basal ganglia.
To propose a model for how the nucleus accumbens (NAc) integrates behavioral processes and promotes wakefulness.

Main Methods:

Electrophysiology
Neurotoxic lesioning
Transgenic animal models
Anatomical and molecular analyses

Main Results:

Established the role of the striatum and globus pallidus in controlling sleep and wakefulness.
Identified emerging anatomical and molecular pathways in BG sleep-wake regulation.
Proposed a model implicating NAc adenosine and dopamine receptors in wakefulness induction.

Conclusions:

The basal ganglia play a significant role in regulating sleep and wakefulness.
Adenosine and dopamine signaling in the NAc are key to integrating behavior and cortical activation for wakefulness.