Which of the following is observed during sleep induction?
High-Yield Explanation
The cholinergic neurons in pontine reticular formation on stimulation, induce sleep. When the activity of norepinephrine and serotonin containing neurons (locus coeruleus and raphe nuclei) is dominant, there is a reduced level of activity in acetylcholine-containing neurons in the pontine reticular formation leading to wakefulness. The reverse of this pattern leads to REM sleep. A more even balance in the activity of these groups of neurons is associated with NREM sleep. Ref: Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology 25th edition Pgno: 279