Coupled Flip-Flop Model for REM Sleep Regulation in the Rat

摘要: Recent experimental studies investigating the neuronal regulation of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep have identified mutually inhibitory synaptic projections among REM sleep-promoting (REM-on) and sleep-inhibiting (REM-off) populations that act to maintain state control its onset offset. The mechanism interactions mirrors proposed flip-flop switch for sleep-wake consisting between wake- populations. While a number been these REM-on/REM-off wake/sleep-promoting populations, specific govern behavioral transitions not completely determined. Using minimal mathematical model, we investigated transition dynamics dictated by system coupled flip-flops, one wake states, another into out sleep. model describes neurotransmitter-mediated population, REM-on REM-off population. We wake/sleep flip-flops replicate statistics probabilities measured from recordings rat under ad libitum conditions after 24 h deprivation. Reliable wake, as data, indicated necessity an excitatory projection population wake-promoting To increase in REM-wake-REM observed deprivation required this promote transient activation Obtaining reliable wake-nonREM data activity modulated interaction This analysis suggests processes be targeted further regulatory mechanisms