Disorders of the reticular activating system.
The organization of components of the reticular activating system and their role in sleep-wake mechanisms and arousal are described. A functional model is proposed based on known neuroanatomical and neurophysiological findings. The involvement of these elements of the reticular activating system in various neurological and psychiatric disorders is discussed. A series of hypotheses are advanced to account for the role of these nuclei in such diverse disorders as schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, REM behavior disorder, Parkinson's disease and narcolepsy. This line of reasoning suggests that, when neurological or psychiatric disorders manifest symptoms related to arousal and sleep-wake control, disturbances of elements of the reticular activating system must be considered responsible.
Garcia-Rill
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Department of Anatomy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000503:physiopathology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D012154:Reticular Formation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology