Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation01:13

Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation

6.2K
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...
6.2K
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

3.4K
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:
3.4K
Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

1.7K
Sleep progresses through distinct stages, each characterized by specific brain wave patterns and physiological responses ranging from wakefulness to stages of non-rapid eye movement, known as non-REM, to rapid eye movement, referred to as REM. Understanding these stages helps in recognizing how sleep supports various bodily and cognitive functions.
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
1.7K
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

2.6K
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...
2.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

A Transient Feature of the Inferior Olive Supports the Development of Cerebellar Internal Models.

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience·2026
Same author

Twitching in sleeping premature infants provides a sensitive behavioral assay of early motor control.

iScience·2026
Same author

Homeostatic coupling of cortical and brainstem delta rhythms in sleeping infant rats.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Substrain-specific behavioral variation in female C57BL/6 and C57BL/10 mice.

Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience·2026
Same author

REM-sleep twitching in adults and the maintenance of specialized sensorimotor systems.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same author

Twitching in sleeping premature infants provides a sensitive behavioral assay of early motor control.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Optogenetic Manipulation of Neural Circuits During Monitoring Sleep/wakefulness States in Mice
08:58

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

Published on: June 19, 2019

10.7K

Sensorimotor processing in the newborn rat red nucleus during active sleep.

Carlos Del Rio-Bermudez1, Greta Sokoloff1, Mark S Blumberg2

  • 1Department of Psychology and.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|May 29, 2015
PubMed
Summary

The red nucleus (RN) generates infant motor twitches, crucial for sensorimotor development. This study reveals the RN

Keywords:
REM sleepmyoclonic twitchingreafferencesensorimotorsomatotopytopography

More Related Videos

Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons
09:04

Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons

Published on: September 14, 2016

9.1K
Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice
08:45

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice

Published on: January 25, 2016

25.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Optogenetic Manipulation of Neural Circuits During Monitoring Sleep/wakefulness States in Mice
08:58

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

Published on: June 19, 2019

10.7K
Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons
09:04

Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons

Published on: September 14, 2016

9.1K
Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice
08:45

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice

Published on: January 25, 2016

25.8K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • Sleep-related myoclonic twitches are vital for neural development.
  • The neural basis of early infant motor twitches remains largely unknown.
  • The red nucleus (RN) is implicated in adult active sleep motor activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the red nucleus (RN) as a potential source of motor output for infant twitching.
  • To explore the role of the RN in early sensorimotor integration and development.

Main Methods:

  • Recorded neural activity in the red nucleus (RN) of 1-week-old rats during sleep and wakefulness.
  • Examined RN neuronal firing patterns relative to forelimb movements and sensory stimulation.
  • Utilized unilateral RN inactivation to assess its causal role in motor behavior.

Main Results:

  • RN neurons fired before contralateral forelimb twitches and wake movements.
  • A subset of RN neurons showed activity peaks post-movement, suggesting sensory processing.
  • RN inactivation temporarily increased then prolonged decreased motor activity, including twitches.

Conclusions:

  • The red nucleus (RN) plays a causal role in generating infant motor behavior, including twitches.
  • Infant twitching facilitates sensorimotor integration and activity-dependent development within the newborn RN.