Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Developmental Changes In Pedunculopontine Nucleus (Ppn) Neurons, T. Kobayashi, C. Good, J. Biedermann, Christina B. Cooley, R. D. Skinner, E. E. García-Rill

Christina B Cooley

The developmental decrease in rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep in man occurs between birth and after puberty. We hypothesize that if this decrease in REM sleep does not occur, lifelong increases in REM sleep drive may ensue. Such disorders are characterized by hypervigilance and sensory-gating deficits, such as are present in postpubertal onset disorders like schizophrenia, panic attacks (a form of anxiety disorder), and depression. The decrease in REM sleep in the rat occurs between 10 and 30 days of age. We studied changes in size and physiological properties of pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) cells involved in the control of arousal, i.e., waking …