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Medial pontine reticular formation

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Berek (talk | contribs) at 20:26, 17 May 2015 (removed Category:Human brain; added Category:Pons using HotCat). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The medial pontine reticular formation (MPRF) is a part of the human brain located in the pons of the brainstem (specifically the central pontine reticular formation). It plays a critical function in the generation of REM sleep.

Role in REM sleep

GABAergic neurons of the MPRF are activated by Acetylcholine (released by the Pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus), and in turn activate cells in the basal forebrain -- namely the Dorsal raphe nucleus (which produces serotonin) and the Locus coeruleus (which produces Norepinephrine).[1] This activation will stimulate cortical activity, which is characteristic of the low amplitude / high frequency EEG patterns observed during REM sleep. As well, lesions of the MPRF will cause a great decrease of REM sleep.

References

  1. ^ Purves, Dale (2012). Neuroscience (5 ed.). MA: Sinauer Associates. pp. 635–638. ISBN 978-0-87893-695-3.
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