Analysis of sleep EEG during rebound sleep after three days REM deprivation

Background Effects of selective rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) deprivation are usually studied with the single platform-onwater method (flower pot). In this protocol, animals are placed on a small platform (SP) surrounded by water, and as muscle atony is typical for REMS, they fall into the water and awaken immediately as they switch to REMS. A large platform (LP) is also used, in order to separate the effects of REMS deprivation from other stress factors caused by the procedure, because animals can curl and can reach REMS on LP. Our aim was to study quantitativeelectroencephalography (Q-EEG) in different vigilance stages measured in the rebound period after three-daylong sleep deprivation.