Microinjection of the melanin-concentrating hormone into the sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus inhibits REM sleep in the rat

Neurosci Lett. 2016 Sep 6:630:66-69. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.07.035. Epub 2016 Jul 25.

Abstract

A study was performed on the effects of local microinjection of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) into the right sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus (SLD) on sleep and wakefulness in rats prepared for chronic sleep recordings. MCH 200ng significantly decreased rapid-eye-movement sleep (REMS) time during the first and second 2-h of the recording period which was related to the reduction of the number of REMS periods and the increase of REMS latency. It is proposed that REMS inhibition was related to the direct deactivation of SLD glutamatergic neurons by the peptide.

Keywords: Glutamate; Melanin-concentrating hormone; REM sleep; Sleep; Sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electroencephalography
  • Hypothalamic Hormones / administration & dosage*
  • Hypothalamic Hormones / physiology*
  • Male
  • Melanins / administration & dosage*
  • Melanins / physiology*
  • Microinjections
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Occipital Lobe / physiology
  • Pituitary Hormones / administration & dosage*
  • Pituitary Hormones / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sleep, REM*
  • Tegmentum Mesencephali / physiology*
  • Wakefulness*

Substances

  • Hypothalamic Hormones
  • Melanins
  • Pituitary Hormones
  • melanin-concentrating hormone