ABSTRACT
Rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep is a distinctive behavioral state that alternates with episodes of slow-wave sleep and always is preceded and accompanied by the occurrence of pontogeniculo-occipital (PGO) waves. A widely distributed pontine neuronal generator network has been postulated to generate REM sleep. The lateral pontine region is of particular interest not only because of its role in PGO wave generation, but also because of its cholinergic neurons that project to the cholinoceptive reticular formation zone, where REM sleep can be cholinergically induced. While PGO waves occur continuously on the first day of carbachol administration, no changes are observed in the amount of REM sleep. All the neurophysiological and pharmacological data obtained in the studies cited strongly support the amygdala as critically involved in the neurobiological features of REM sleep.
