Paradoxical Sleep - A Study of its Nature and Mechanisms
Michel Jouvet
Progress In Brain Research Vol. 18 Sleep Mechanisms 1965
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Evidence of the duality of the states of sleep

(a) EEG and behavioural findings

(b) Phylogenetic findings

(c) Ontogenetic findings

(d) Functional findings

(e) Structural findings
Mechanisms of paradoxical sleep

(a) Producing P.S. as a reflex

(b) Results of deafferentations

(c) Role of the hypothalamus and pituitary

(d) Deprivation of P.S. in the pontile animal

(e) Effects of temperature on P.S. in the pontile animal

(f) Action of gamma-butyrolactone (G.B.L.)

(g) Osmolarity of the blood and paradoxical sleep
Discussion

(a) Duality of the states of sleep

(b) Mechanisms underlying the appearance of P.S.

Summary and Conclusions

Discussion
Figures

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Mechanisms of paradoxical sleep

(c) Role of the hypothalamus and pituitary

The role of the hypothalamus has often been mentioned in the induction of sleep (Von Economo, 1929; Nauta, 1946) and endocrine influences arising in the hypothalamus or pituitary cannot be exc]uded a priori. The hormonal dependence of P.S. has, furthermore, been reported in rabbits (Faure, 1962; Kawakami and Sawyer, 1962. We therefore undertook a study of the possible role of the hypothalamus and pituitary. After total intercollicular section of the brain stem of 9 cats all the structures rostral to the section were removed, including the hypothalamus and pituitary, by curettage of the sella turcica (Fig. 18). The first group of 6 animals received no substitution therapy. Urinalysis showed polyuria with low specific gravity, a considerable reduction in sodium and an increase in potassium content. These animals all died after 6 or 7 days, presenting polypnea, tachycardia, hyperexcitability (starting at the slightest sound). Nevertheless, typical and regular periods of P.S. appeared during the first 5 days (Fig. 20). Their incidence declined regularly after the first 3 days (Fig. 19), but periods of 5 min were still registered 120 h after the operation. Brief periods of atony lasting 2-3 sec, accompanied by a few pontine spikes still appeared periodically on the 6th or 7th day. The last sign of P.S. to disappear was thus the monophasic pontine spikes, which were then no longer accompanied by complete disappearance of muscular tonus (Fig. 20). Substitution therapy (2 units total postpituitary extract daily, 1-2 units ACTH every second day) was started in 4 animals, either from the beginning or from the 4th day on. This therapy prolonged survival up to 1 month. P.S. reappeared regularly and periodically as in animals with an intact hypothalamic island. Thus, the appearance of P.S. more than 120 h after ablation of the hypothalamus and pituitary makes it possible to rule out the hypothalamic neurohormones and pituitary hormones as necessary criteria for the periodic incidence of P.S., for it can be presumed that 24 h after these ablations the hormones are no longer present in the blood.

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