Sleep-Wake Autonomic Regulation

A Motor Theory of Sleep-Wake Control: Arousal-Action Circuit

“…Second, several brain areas containing sleep neurons-such as the hypothalamus, vlPAG, and nucleus of the solitary tract-are closely involved in autonomic regulation (Llewellyn-Smith & Verberne 2011). It is well known that wake-sleep transitions are accompanied by marked changes in the heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature (de Zambotti et al 2018, Jafari 2017, Jones 2009, Silvani & Dampney 2013, Van Someren 2006, and the sleep neurons at key nodes of the central autonomic network may coordinate the regulation of both brain states and autonomic functions. In fact, besides brain activity measured by EEG, autonomic and somatomotor activities provide the most reliable readout of sleep and wake states.…”

“…ARjats.cls January 18, 2019 10:27 (PSNS). The distinct sympathetic/parasympathetic activity profiles across different brain states lead to specific predictions about circuit connectivity: NREM sleep neurons should suppress sympathetic and/or promote parasympathetic activity, although REM sleep neurons may exert complex influences on autonomic activity ( Jones 2009). Thus, in addition to the connections with the well-known arousal and action neurons in the central nervous system, analyses of the interactions with the SMS, SNS, and PSNS (Figure 3d) may provide an additional strategy for both the identification of new REM and NREM sleep neurons and verification/falsification of the AA model.…”

“…In human sleep studies, polysomnography typically includes measures of autonomic activity in addition to EEG and EMG (Figure 1c). Indeed, sleep and wake states are associated with different cardiovascular, breathing, and body temperature profiles ( Jones 2009).…”

“…Mammals, birds, and reptiles have distinct rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep (Aserinsky & Kleitman 1953, Shein-Idelson et al 2016. Although both types of sleep are associated with behavioral immobility, they exhibit distinct EEG and autonomic activity patterns (de Zambotti et al 2018, Jafari 2017, Jones 2009, Silvani & Dampney 2013. Unlike NREM sleep, which is characterized by synchronized EEG and reduced autonomic activity, REM sleep exhibits wake-like desynchronized EEG and complex autonomic profiles.…”