The effects of deprivation of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep on maze learning and aggression in the Albino rat

Abstract

To determine the effects of deprivation of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep on the behavior and maze learning ability of rats, 51 male albinos were trained in a T maze and each was assigned to one of four groups matched on learning ability. Three of the four groups were then placed on small water-surrounded platforms and subjected to one of the following conditions for 26 days: Groups SPE and SPC were confined to small platforms and thus deprived of REM sleep, while group LPC was positioned on larger platforms. The subjects in the fourth group were home cage controls. The platform animals were removed to their home cages for three hours each day where only the SPE animals were kept in a wakeful state. During the deprivation period, each of the animals were paired daily with a member of his own or another group in a neutral cage and rated for aggression. At the conclusion of the deprivation period, five animals from each group were sacrificed and the brain removed for pathological examination. The remaining animals were tested for retention and reversal in the T maze and then began an acquisition series in Lashley's Maze III. Results indicated that the animals maze learning ability was not consistently affected by the deprivation procedure and no neuropathology was observed. Deprivation resulted in a significant increase in aggressive behavior, however. It was hypothesized that the central nervous system of most animals is capable of tolerating prolonged REM sleep deprivation, carrying on during wakefulness those processes normally subserved by the REM phase.