Neither REM sleep deprivation nor rebound influences 3H-diazepam binding n rat brain.

Rats were placed on either small (subjected to REM sleep deprivation) or large circular platforms (stress controls) surrounded by water for 96 hours. Six animals from each group were either decapitated immediately following 96 hours or placed in cages and decapitated 6 hours later. Benzodiazepine receptor binding in rat brain cortices and brain stems was assessed using 3H-diazepam as the ligand. Scatchard analysis of these data showed that neither REM sleep deprivation nor REM sleep rebound affected the kinetics of 3H-diazepam binding (Bmax or apparent KD) in vitro.