Locus coeruleus neurons: cessation of activity during cataplexy.

TitleLocus coeruleus neurons: cessation of activity during cataplexy.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1999
AuthorsWu MF, Gulyani SA, Yau E, Mignot E, Phan B, Siegel JM
JournalNeuroscience
Volume91
Issue4
Pagination1389-99
Date Published1999
ISSN0306-4522
KeywordsAdrenergic alpha-Antagonists, Animals, Cataplexy, Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Dogs, Electrophysiology, Locus Coeruleus, Neurons, Physostigmine, Prazosin, Sleep, REM
Abstract

Cataplexy, a symptom of narcolepsy, is a loss of muscle tone usually triggered by sudden, emotionally significant stimuli. We now report that locus coeruleus neurons cease discharge throughout cataplexy periods in canine narcoleptics. Locus coeruleus discharge rates during cataplexy were as low as or lower than those seen during rapid-eye-movement sleep. Prazosin, an alpha1 antagonist, and physostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, both of which precipitate cataplexy, decreased locus coeruleus discharge rate. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that locus coeruleus activity contributes to the maintenance of muscle tone in waking, and that reduction in locus coeruleus discharge plays a role in the loss of muscle tone in cataplexy and rapid-eye-movement sleep. Our results also show that the complete cessation of locus coeruleus activity is not sufficient to trigger rapid-eye-movement sleep in narcoleptics.

DOI10.1016/s0306-4522(98)00600-9
Alternate JournalNeuroscience
PubMed ID10391445
Grant ListNS14610 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
NS23724 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States