Locus coeruleus neurons: cessation of activity during cataplexy.
Title | Locus coeruleus neurons: cessation of activity during cataplexy. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1999 |
Authors | Wu MF, Gulyani SA, Yau E, Mignot E, Phan B, Siegel JM |
Journal | Neuroscience |
Volume | 91 |
Issue | 4 |
Pagination | 1389-99 |
Date Published | 1999 |
ISSN | 0306-4522 |
Keywords | Adrenergic 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. |
DOI | 10.1016/s0306-4522(98)00600-9 |
Alternate Journal | Neuroscience |
PubMed ID | 10391445 |
Grant List | NS14610 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States NS23724 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States |