NE or ACh initiates REM?!

[volans]

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hey guys - i found conflicting info in different texts, does anyone know if there is a consensus on what initiates REM (at least as far as the NBME is concerned...)??

taking the test next week, so ready to be done...😛

ps - good luck to everyone!!!

 

[FrankWolf83]

I'm pretty sure ACh inititiates REM. NE is a sympathetic hormone to get you wide awake in your attempt to run away from the bear, so it's the one that helps you get up, rather than putting you to sleep. If you're deficient in NE or Serotonin (such as in Depression), you fall into REM sleep quicker and stay in it longer. Hence many depressed patients have very vivid dreams. I could be totally wrong so hopefully someone else can help you out as well.

 

[volans]

awesome, thanks! that makes sense

 

[PenguinHead]

I'm pretty sure ACh inititiates REM. NE is a sympathetic hormone to get you wide awake in your attempt to run away from the bear, so it's the one that helps you get up, rather than putting you to sleep. If you're deficient in NE or Serotonin (such as in Depression), you fall into REM sleep quicker and stay in it longer. Hence many depressed patients have very vivid dreams. I could be totally wrong so hopefully someone else can help you out as well.

I agree. I just read about this a couple of days ago and have to do a presentation on REM and drugs tomorrow. Specific cholinergic neurons are REM-on. Monoamine neurons are REM-off.

It helps to remember that during REM, the stimulatory NE, 5HT, and Histamine are blocked causing the atonia that occurs during REM.

 

[DrPettans]

According to kaplan lecture notes it is the Ach (that rises) : NE (that diminishes) ratio what triggers REM.