The effect of rapid eye movement sleep deprivation on cortical beta-adrenergic receptors.

The relationship between rapid eye movement sleep deprivation (REMD) and rat beta-adrenergic receptors was evaluated. REMD was achieved using the platform method and verified by EEG and EMG recordings. Although the amount of REM sleep was diminished 90%, there was no alteration in either the number of binding sites or their affinity for [3H]-dihydroalprenolol. Periods of stress as well as recovery periods after REMD were also without effect on the cortical beta-adrenergic receptors. Thus no support is garnered for the interaction of REMD and the cortical beta-adrenergic receptor binding parameters, although REMD is sometimes used as a mode of therapy for depression and other antidepressives do in fact affect the beta-adrenergic system. The mechanism of REMD as a potential antidepressive therapy is yet to be elucidated.