title: Activity of nucleus raphe pallidus neurons across the sleep-waking cycle in freely moving cats.
abstract: The activity of serotonin-containing nucleus raphe pallidus (RPA) units was recorded by means of movable 32 or 62 microns diameter insulated nichrome wires in freely moving cats. RPA units displayed a slow, rhythmic discharge rate during waking (mean = 5.3 spikes/s) and showed no significant change in activity during slow-wave sleep. However, these neurons showed a large decrease in activity during REM sleep (mean = 1.2 spikes/s). In contrast with results from studies on serotonin-containing nucleus raphe dorsalis units, RPA neurons showed no relationship to the occurrence of sleep spindles, and were not inhibited by low doses of LSD.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D002415:Cats; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005260:Female; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009043:Motor Activity; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011903:Raphe Nuclei / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology*