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Related Experiment Video

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Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice

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Published on: July 31, 2019

Coherence and frequency in the reticular activating system (RAS).

Edgar Garcia-Rill¹, Nebojsa Kezunovic, James Hyde

¹Center for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology & Dev. Sci., University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham St., Slot 847, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. GarciaRillEdgar@uams.edu

Sleep Medicine Reviews

|October 10, 2012

Summary

Cells in the reticular activating system (RAS) show electrical coupling and gamma band activity, crucial for sleep-wake control. Modafinil enhances this coupling, suggesting a novel mechanism for awareness and action.

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Simultaneous Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Simultaneous Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: June 5, 2017

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cellular Electrophysiology

Background:

The reticular activating system (RAS) regulates arousal and consciousness.
Understanding the cellular mechanisms of RAS function is key to explaining sleep-wake states.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent evidence on electrical coupling and gamma band activity in RAS cells.
To elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying sleep-wake control and preconscious awareness.

Main Methods:

Review of recent electrophysiological studies on RAS cells (PPN, Pf, SubCD).
Analysis of cellular properties including electrical coupling, firing patterns, ion channels, and oscillations.

Main Results:

RAS cells exhibit electrical coupling, primarily in GABAergic neurons, and gamma band activity.
Specific nuclei (PPN, Pf, SubCD) show electrical coupling and beta/gamma band firing.
P/Q-type calcium channels are essential for gamma band activity in PPN and Pf cells.
Sodium-dependent subthreshold oscillations are present in SubCD and some PPN cells.
Modafinil increases electrical coupling, suggesting a role in arousal.

Conclusions:

A novel mechanism for sleep-wake control involving electrical coupling and gamma band activity is proposed.
Continuous sensory input may modulate RAS activity, contributing to preconscious awareness and action formulation.