Neuroanatomy, Locus Coeruleus

Excerpt

The locus coeruleus is a component of the reticular activating system. See Image. Locus Coeruleus. The reticular activating system comprises the reticular formation, raphe nuclei, and locus coeruleus. It involves many important functions; normally, the reticular activating system mediates consciousness, wakefulness, and attentiveness. The loss of muscle tone during REM sleep is influenced by the caudal third of the locus coeruleus, although the locus coeruleus appears to be mostly inactive during REM sleep in some studies. The locus coeruleus primarily functions through norepinephrine transmission via a g protein-coupled receptor pathway. Arousal, sleep-wake cycle, memory, emotions, and stress are all influenced by the locus coeruleus.