REM sleep deprivation induces changes in coping responses that are not reversed by amphetamine.
OBJECTIVE
Although sleep deprivation often occurs during stressful or threatening situations, the effects of sleep loss on defensive and coping behaviors are not well known. The purpose of the present study was to measure the effects of selective rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation (RSD) on responses elicited by threatening situations and to assess the extent to which RSD-induced changes are reversed by amphetamine.


METHODS
Animals were divided into 3 groups; home-cage control, apparatus control, and REM sleep-deprived groups. The flowerpot method was used to produce RSD for up to 5 days. One set of rats was tested in the elevated plus maze, open field, shock-induced freezing, and analgesia tests. A second set of rats was evaluated for locomotor activity. A third set of animals was assessed in the defensive burying test. For the amphetamine studies, groups of home-cage control and REM sleep-deprived rats received an intraperitoneal injection of amphetamine prior to administration of the shock-induced freezing test or the defensive burying test.


METHODS
Sleep Research Laboratory at UW-Madison.


METHODS
186 male Long-Evans rats approximately 3 months old.


RESULTS
RSD increased the proportion of time spent in open arms of the elevated plus maze and center of the open field, decreased freezing time, and reduced defensive burying. Amphetamine did not reverse RSD-induced changes in freezing or burying responses.


CONCLUSIONS
RSD causes widespread abnormalities in coping and defensive responses in threatening situations; these deficits are not reversed and, in some cases, may be exacerbated by amphetamine.
Martinez-Gonzalez
Dolores
D
Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53719, USA.
Obermeyer
William
W
Fahy
Jennifer L
JL
Riboh
Myriam
M
Kalin
Ned H
NH
Benca
Ruth M
RM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006120:Grooming / Q000187:drug effects; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000188:drug therapy*
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D000661:Amphetamine