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Parasternal intercostal and diaphragm function during sleep.

Masanori Yokoba¹, Harvey G Hawes², Teresa M Kieser²

¹Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Kitasato University School of Allied Health Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan.

Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)

|April 30, 2016

Summary

During rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the diaphragm and parasternal intercostal muscles remain active inspiratory muscles, contrary to previous assumptions of global muscle atonia.

Keywords:

REM diaphragm parasternal

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Published on: September 16, 2019

Area of Science:

Respiratory Physiology
Sleep Neurobiology

Background:

The function of parasternal intercostal muscles during REM sleep is uncertain.
Historically, REM sleep is associated with global skeletal muscle atonia, sparing only the diaphragm.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate parasternal intercostal and diaphragm muscle activity during REM sleep.
To test the hypothesis that essential inspiratory muscles are spared during REM sleep.

Main Methods:

Sonomicrometry and electromyogram (EMG) recordings in seven canines during wakefulness, NREM, and REM sleep.
Simultaneous recording of ventilation and muscle activity.

Main Results:

Parasternal tidal EMG was preserved during NREM and REM sleep, unlike costal and crural diaphragm EMG which increased.
Parasternal muscle shortening decreased during NREM and REM sleep, while diaphragm shortening remained unchanged.
Ventilation significantly declined during sleep compared to wakefulness.

Conclusions:

The diaphragm and parasternal intercostal muscles remain active and essential for inspiration during REM sleep.
Parasternal muscle activity during REM sleep may be modulated by chest wall mechanics rather than motor inhibition.