Differences in multiple unit activity discharge rate during short and long REM sleep periods: effects of protein synthesis inhibition

Abstract

Midbrain reticular formation multiple unit activity discharge frequency during short or long duration control REM periods was compared to that occurring following the administration of protein synthesis inhibitors. The results show that during control long REM sleep periods there is a sharp increase of unit frequency which begins a few seconds prior to onset of REM sleep. This increase is absent during control short REM periods and is blocked by anisomycin and chloramphenicol. Since these latter drugs affect the frequency of REM periods, it is suggested that they do so by inhibiting phasic activities such as bursts of multiple unit activity.