Rapid Eye Movement Sleep PGO-Type Waves Are Present in the Dorsal Pons of the Albino Rat

Abstract

We have found rapid eye movement sleep central phasic activity in the form of episodic, repetitive, monophasic waves in the albino rat. This activity is recorded in discrete areas of the dorso-lateral pons, including the nucleus locus ceruleus. The vast majority of these waves occur during rapid eye movement sleep. Their distribution and electrophysiological characteristics are similar to those of ponto-geniculo-occipital waves in the cat.