[Beta-adrenergic receptors and paradoxical sleep in the rat]

Treatment of adult rats with a beta-adrenergic blocking agent (propranolol) induced a paradoxical sleep deficit which was dose-related. This deficit could be completely corrected by intraventricular perfusion with a beta-agonist (isoproterenol), according to a dose-dependent function. The beta-adrenergic receptors may therefore be specifically involved in the regulation of paradoxical sleep.