Kainate receptors: a novel mechanism in paradoxical (REM) sleep generation

Application of kainate to the peri-locus coeruleus alpha (peri-LC alpha) resulted in a marked increase in paradoxical sleep (PS). This effect was completely blocked by specific non-NMDA receptor antagonists, but not by selective NMDA receptor antagonists. Kainate was 10 times more potent than AMPA, and their site of action was confined to the peri-LC alpha. This study is the first to show that excitatory amino acids play an important role in PS generation via the activation of kainate receptors which are located in the peri-LC alpha of the mediodorsal pontine tegmentum.