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Related Concept Videos

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

176
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...
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Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

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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:
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Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation01:13

Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation

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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...
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Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

183
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...
183
Neural Control of Respiration01:18

Neural Control of Respiration

2.3K
The neural regulation of respiration is a meticulously coordinated process primarily controlled by the respiratory centers located within the brainstem. These centers, composed of specialized neurons, transmit nerve impulses that control the contraction and relaxation of our respiratory muscles.
Respiratory Centers in the Brainstem
Two primary areas comprise the respiratory center: the medullary respiratory center in the medulla oblongata and the pontine respiratory group in the pons. The...
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Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

101
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2025

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

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Neuronal network controlling REM sleep.

Pierre-Hervé Luppi1,2, Justin Malcey1,2, Amarine Chancel1,2

  • 1INSERM, U1028; CNRS, UMR5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Team "Physiopathologie des réseaux neuronaux responsables du cycle veille-sommeil", Lyon, France.

Journal of Sleep Research
|July 7, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep muscle paralysis is controlled by specific brainstem neurons. These REM sleep-on neurons are inhibited by REM sleep-off neurons, with forebrain structures influencing the REM sleep state.

Keywords:
brainstemclaustrumglycinemelanin‐concentrating hormonemuscle atoniaretrosplenial cortexsupramammillary nucleus

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Related Experiment Videos

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Science
  • Neurophysiology

Background:

  • Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a unique sleep stage characterized by specific physiological markers.
  • Understanding the neural circuitry governing REM sleep is crucial for deciphering its functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize current knowledge on the neuronal network controlling the onset and maintenance of REM sleep.
  • To elucidate the roles of specific neuronal populations and neurotransmitters in REM sleep regulation.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing research findings from various neurobiological studies.
  • It focuses on identifying key neuronal populations and their projections involved in REM sleep control.

Main Results:

  • Muscle atonia during REM sleep is mediated by glutamatergic neurons in the pontine sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus.
  • REM sleep-on neurons are inhibited by REM sleep-off neurons in the ventrolateral periaqueductal grey and dorsal deep mesencephalic reticular nucleus.
  • Forebrain structures, including the lateral hypothalamus, claustrum, supramammillary nucleus, and basolateral amygdala, modulate REM sleep onset and function.

Conclusions:

  • REM sleep generation involves a complex brainstem network regulated by forebrain structures.
  • Specific neuronal pathways and neurotransmitters orchestrate the unique physiological state of REM sleep.