Medial preoptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors in the regulation of sleep-wakefulness.
Adrenergic alpha 2 agonist (clonidine) and its antagonist (yohimbine) were locally applied to the medial preoptic area (mPOA), to find out the role of alpha 2 receptors at this brain region in the regulation of sleep-wakefulness. Clonidine produced arousal, whereas yohimbine induced sleep in freely moving animals. Behavioural arousal produced by clonidine administration was accompanied by EEG synchronization. The alpha 2 receptor as the probable site of action of externally applied norepinephrine (NE), is discussed.
Ramesh
V
V
Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
Kumar
V M
VM
John
J
J
Mallick
H
H
D000818:Animals; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D008297:Male; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000494:pharmacology
D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2; D015016:Yohimbine; D003000:Clonidine