Summary
In freely moving rats with implanted electrodes the influence of subcutaneously administered atropine sulphate on EEG signs of sleep cycles was analysed. Four subsequent single doses of 0.75; 1.0; 1.25; 2.25 or 3.0 mg/kg of atropine repeated in 30 min intervals were applied, the total doses being 3.0; 4.0; 5.0; 9.0 resp. 12 mg/kg.
Even after high doses of atropine sulphate about 40% of the sleep EEG activity is covered by sleep cycles (regular alternation of generalized slow wave activity with neocortical desynchronization combined with hippocampal theta activity) not differing from normal cycles significantly, the rest being a generalized high voltage slow wave irregular activity.
After atropine hippocampal theta activity during phase 2 shows, in contradistinction to control records, a spontaneous recruiting like, spindle-like alternation of the amplitude of the waves interrupted by periods of irregular activity.
After atropine the arousing effects of reticular stimulation (repeated regularly in 1 min intervals) becomes less pronounced, the incidence of arousal reactions after uniform stimuli being significantly decreased. Nevertheless, the gradual decrease of reticular excitability during the last part of phase 1 of sleep can still be demonstrated.
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On leave from Instituto de Estudios Médicos y Biológicos, UNAM México
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Weiss, T., Bohdanecký, Z., Fifková, E. et al. Influence of atropine on sleep cycle in rats. Psychopharmacologia 5, 126–135 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00413049
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00413049