Electromyographic power spectral changes associated with the sleep-awake cycle and with diazepam treatment in the rat

Power spectral analysis was used to study temporalis muscle EMG activities during the sleep-awake cycle in the rat. EMG spectra derived from EMG during the states of slow-wave sleep. REM sleep and wakefulness demonstrated qualitative and quantitative differences. Diazepam treatment produced reductions in EMG spectral power during wakefulness. Thus, our experimental model allows qualitative and quantitative delineation of EMG activity associated with behavioral changes or drug treatments.