[Neurophysiological analysis of the effects of selective deprivation of paradoxical sleep]

Neurophysiological analysis of the effects of selective and total paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) involving the replacement of paradoxical sleep (PS) phases by equivalent (as to duration) episodes of wakefulness is carried out. In contrast to the "classical" method of momentary awakening of the animal, a new method does not lead to: (1) the accumulation of PS need associated with more frequent PS onsets during deprivation; (2) PS rebound in a postdeprivation period; (3) dissociation of PS components, i.e. their occasional occurrence in other phases of the sleep-wakefulness cycle due to the phenomenon of self-deprivation; (4) increase in the rate of pontogeniculo-occipital (PGO) spikes, eye movements and heart rate during PS phases in the postdeprivation period. The application of selective and total PSD techniques caused no noticeable changes in the functional state and integrative activity of the brain, the latter warranting its successful use for treatment of some psychoneurological disturbances in clinics. The assumption has been advanced about the similarity of the neurochemical changes forming the need both for wakefulness and PS.