Biochemical and Bioelectric Processes Related to Sleep, Paradoxical Sleep, and Arousal

Abstract

Experimental evidence has been summarized, validating the assumption that initiation and maintenance of the phases of the sleep-wakefulness cycle depend, at least in part, on the relative concentrations of intracerebral serotonin and norepinephrine (or closely related compounds), released at their pertinent sites of action. Falling asleep and sleep depend on a considerable excess of serotonin. Arousal and wakefulness depend on a considerable excess of norepinephrine. Paradoxical sleep depends on a close interplay of relative concentrations of these biogenic amines. One of the intracerebral mechanisms responsible for dissociation of the EEG patterns during paradoxical sleep has also been identified.