Spatiotemporal activity patterns of neurones are organized by different types of coherent network oscillations. Frequency content and cross-frequency coupling of cortical oscillations are strongly state-dependent, indicating that different patterns of wakefulness or sleep, respectively, support different cognitive or mnestic processes. It is therefore crucial to analyse specific sleep patterns ...

Orexin receptors belong to the big family of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that constitute the main targets in the modern pharmacological approaches. Although the orexinergic system is involved in a variety of processes, treating sleep-wakefulness disorders such as narcolepsy and insomnia, remains the main therapeutic implication of targeting orexinergic receptors. After novel advances, s...

The hypothesis is put forward that rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in early life serves as (1) an indicator for the degree of brain maturation and (2) the promoter of further brain development. This hypothesis, although not exclusive, differs (a) from the theory of Roffwarg et al. that REM sleep substitutes for 'wakefulness' during the period (early life) in which wakefulness is limited, (b) fro...

The correct diagnosis of patients with disorders consciousness is still challenging. accurate observation the behavioral responses in Disorders Of Consciousness (DoC) crucial to avoid misdiagnosis. We observed changes response a patient diagnosed Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome/Vegetative State onlyafter nociceptive stimulation, administered following Nociception Coma Scale indication.

The effects of alcohol ingestion were compared with those of prolonged wakefulness on a simulated driving task. Eighteen healthy, male subjects aged between 19 and 35 years drove for 30 min on a simulated driving task at blood alcohol concentrations of 0.00, 0.05 and 0.08%. Subjective sleepiness was assessed before and after the driving task. Driving performance was measured in terms of the mea...

The perifornical area in the posterior lateral hypothalamus (PeFLH) has been implicated in several physiological functions including the sleep-wakefulness regulation. The PeFLH area contains several cell types including those expressing orexins (Orx; also known as hypocretins), mainly located in the PeF nucleus. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the synaptic interactions between Orx...