Effects of REM sleep deprivation on central alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptors in rat brain.

In the present experiment the effects of 'rapid-eye-movement' sleep deprivation (REMd) on cortical alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptor binding sites in the rat brain were investigated. REMd was induced for 72 hr in two different ways: by the platform and the pendulum technique. In addition, three control groups were run. Determination of alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptor sites in the cortex was done by 3H-prazosin and 3H-dihydroalprenolol binding studies, respectively. Both REM sleep deprived groups showed a small but significant decrease in the number of beta-adrenoceptor sites along with a small increase in affinity. On the other hand, alpha 1-adrenoceptor binding and affinity were not changed. These results agree with the effects of tricyclic antidepressant drug treatment. Common effects of REMd and tricyclic drugs are discussed in terms of modulation of tonic arousal processes.