[The effects of REM sleep deprivation on the motor behavior of rats]

The effects of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep deprivation for 72 h on motor behaviour of rats have been studied. It has been shown both an increased spontaneous locomotor activity and an enhanced rotational behaviour after unilateral intrastriatal injection of dopamine 24 h and 48 h after the end of REM sleep deprivation. The enhancement of motor activity after REM sleep deprivation points to changes in the dopaminergic transmission system. But it is not yet clear, if the main cause of these effects is the development of a super-sensitivity of postsynaptic dopaminergic receptors. In the same way interactions between the dopaminergic system and other inhibitory transmission systems may play an important role, explaining effects of REM sleep deprivation.