Effects of broad-spectrum monoamine oxidase inhibitors on the structure and ratio of stages in in the cat sleep-wake cycle

Abstract

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors disturb the structure of the sleep-wake cycle and its ultradian rhythms by extending total slow-wave sleep, completely suppressing paradoxical sleep, and reducing total waking period considerably. Once the synchrony induced by MAO inhibitors has stopped, a rebound effect of increased waking occurs preceding and during partial restoral of paradoxical sleep. This fact is viewed as an indication of a waking requirement accumulating during the aforementioned partial deprivation under the effects of MAO inhibitors. Especially marked effects are exerted by MAO inhibitors on paradoxical sleep, in which they produce long-term suppression of tonic and phasic components. It is suggested that inhibition of paradoxical sleep is brought about by selective impairment of functional state of its neurophysiological trigger mechanisms.