A Study of the Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Dreaming
M. Jouvet and D. Jouvet Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophysiol. 1963 Suppl. 24
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Methods
Part 1

I. Two EEG patterns of physiological sleep in intact cats

II. The neural structures responsible for RPS

III. Structures responsible for somato-vegetative phenomena

IV. Mechanisms of the Rhombencephalic Phase of Sleep

V. Ontogenesis of the RPS
Part 2

A. Normal subjects

B. Patients with brain lesions

Discussion

Summary
Figures

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Part I : Experimental results obtained on cats

The rhombencephalic phase of sleep

Methods

Results were obtained from 69 chronic cats (15 normal cats, 11 totally or partially decorticate, 20 with total or partial brain stem section, 21 with partial coagulation of the brain stem and 2 which had undergone total ablation of the cerebellum). These animals were implanted with nickel-chrome multipolar subcortical electrodes and steel cortical electrodes and were all studied for more than I week. Decortication was carried out in one operation by suction after removal of the skull. An acrylic resin plastic roof was then inserted in place of the bone and the subcortical electrodes were thus kept at that level. The brain stem was sectioned by means of a stereotaxically oriented cutting blade, and electrolytic lesions were made by means of anodal direct current. In some cases, the entire part of the brain rostral to the mesencephalon was removed by aspiration. Poikilotherm, mesencephalic or pontile animals were kept warm and were always studied at normal temperatures between 37¡ and 39¡ C. The cats were placed in soundproof cages and EEG recordings were carried out daily during 6-12 h. Routinely, together with the EEG, the EMG was recorded by means of a bipolar electrode permanently implanted at the level of the neck muscles. The eye movements were also recorded by electrodes fixed on both sides of the eyeballs. The behavior of the animals (pupils, nictitating membranes, posture, etc.) was observed through a window. In all cases, the site of the electrodes and the topography of the lesions were checked histologically.

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