Herbie Murray
The midbrain contains neurons that are active during REM sleep. These neurons are located in the subcoeruleus nucleus, which is also called the sublaterodorsal nucleus. These neurons are predominantly active during episodes of REM sleep and are thought to regulate REM sleep and its defining features such as muscle paralysis and cortical activation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| REM Sleep Neurons | Midbrain |
What You'll Learn
The midbrain is a key region for REM sleep generation
The SubC is thought to induce REM sleep muscle paralysis by recruiting GABA/glycine neurons in the ventromedial medulla (VMM) and spinal cord. These cells produce motor atonia during REM sleep by inhibiting skeletal motoneurons.
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The subcoeruleus nucleus (SubC) is the core of the REM-generating circuit
The subcoeruleus nucleus (SubC) is a core component of the REM-generating circuit. It is located in the brainstem, specifically the pons and adjacent portions of the midbrain. The SubC is composed of REM-active neurons, which are predominantly active during REM sleep. The majority of these neurons are glutamatergic, but some are GABAergic.
The SubC is thought to induce REM sleep muscle paralysis by recruiting GABA/glycine neurons in the ventromedial medulla (VMM) and spinal cord. These neurons produce motor atonia during REM sleep by inhibiting skeletal motoneurons.
The SubC is under the control of midbrain regions. A midbrain region located beneath and lateral to the periaqueductal gray (called the dorsocaudal central tegmental field in the cat) appears to inhibit REM sleep by inhibiting the critical "REM-on" SubC neurons.
The REM sleep-active neurons in the SubC have been found to project to the acetylcholine-responsive region in the VMM.
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The REM sleep core is located in the brainstem
The core of the REM sleep circuit is located in the brainstem, specifically the mesopontine junction, which is medial to the trigeminal motor nucleus and ventral to the locus coeruleus. The subcoeruleus nucleus (SubC) is composed of REM-active neurons and is thought to be the core of the REM sleep circuit. The SubC is hypothesised to be glutamatergic and to induce REM sleep muscle paralysis by recruiting GABA/glycine neurons in the ventromedial medulla (VMM) and spinal cord, which in turn inhibit skeletal motoneurons.
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The REM sleep core is composed of REM-active neurons
The REM sleep core is located in the brainstem, specifically at the mesopontine junction, medial to the trigeminal motor nucleus and ventral to the locus coeruleus. The core of the REM-generating circuit is the subcoeruleus nucleus (SubC) or sublaterodorsal nucleus. The SubC is thought to induce REM sleep muscle paralysis by recruiting GABA/glycine neurons in the ventromedial medulla and spinal cord. These cells produce motor atonia during REM sleep by inhibiting skeletal motoneurons.
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The REM sleep core is composed of glutamatergic neurons
The REM sleep core is located in the brainstem and is composed of glutamatergic neurons. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter, which means it excites neurons. Glutamatergic neurons in the subcoeruleus nucleus (SubC) or sublaterodorsal nucleus (SLD) are thought to regulate REM sleep and its defining features, such as muscle paralysis and cortical activation. REM sleep paralysis is initiated when glutamatergic SubC cells activate neurons in the ventral medial medulla, which causes the release of GABA and glycine onto skeletal motoneurons.
The subcoeruleus nucleus (SubC) is also called the sublaterodorsal nucleus (SLD). The majority of REM-active SubC cells are glutamatergic, suggesting that REM sleep is generated by a glutamatergic mechanism. However, GABA SubC cells have also been implicated in REM sleep control.
The core of the REM-generating circuit is localized at the mesopontine junction, medial to the trigeminal motor nucleus and ventral to the locus coeruleus (LC). The subcoeruleus nucleus (SubC), which is also called the sublaterodorsal nucleus, is composed of REM-active neurons – cells that are predominantly active during episodes of REM sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
The midbrain is a small region of the brainstem that lies between the cerebral cortex and the spinal cord. It is composed of the tectum, the cerebral peduncles, and the substantia nigra. The midbrain is involved in several important functions, including motor control, eye movement, auditory and visual processing, sleep/wake cycles, and temperature regulation.
Yes, the midbrain contains neurons that are involved in the generation of REM sleep. These neurons are located in the subcoeruleus nucleus (SubC) or sublaterodorsal nucleus, which is composed of REM-active neurons. These neurons are predominantly active during episodes of REM sleep.
REM sleep neurons are cells that are predominantly active during episodes of REM sleep. They are involved in the generation and maintenance of REM sleep and its defining features, such as muscle paralysis and cortical activation.
Several neurotransmitter systems are involved in REM sleep regulation, including glutamate, GABA, glycine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, and hypocretin.
The function of REM sleep is not fully understood, but it is hypothesized to play a role in the regulation of receptor sensitivity in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
