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Phasic loss of intercostal muscle activity occurring with rapid eye movements during REM sleep

J Kohyama1, T Kohji, M Shimohira

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.

Neuroscience Letters
|December 24, 1993
PubMed

Insights

This study measured motor inhibition during rapid eye movements (REMs) in sleeping children. REMs were found to cause a brief, phasic inhibition of intercostal muscle activity, suggesting a brainstem-spinal cord link.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Pediatric Neurology

Background:

  • Rapid eye movements (REMs) are a hallmark of REM sleep.
  • Motor inhibition is crucial during REM sleep to prevent acting out dreams.
  • The precise mechanisms of motor inhibition during REM sleep in children are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate phasic motor inhibition associated with REMs during REM sleep in children.
  • To quantify the latency and duration of this muscle inhibition.
  • To explore the potential involvement of the brainstem-spinal cord inhibitory system.

Main Methods:

  • Polysomnography was used to monitor sleep.
  • Integrated surface electromyograms (EMGs) of intercostal muscles were recorded.
  • EMG data was averaged in relation to REM onset in three children.

Main Results:

  • Phasic inhibition of intercostal muscle activity was observed following REMs.
  • The average latency from REM onset to inhibition was 38.0 ms.
  • The average duration of this inhibition was 237.0 ms.

Conclusions:

  • Phasic motor inhibition linked to REMs occurs in children during REM sleep.
  • These findings suggest a role for the brainstem-spinal cord inhibitory system.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise neural pathways involved.

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