SLEEP-ASSOCIATED CHANGES IN INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA MESSENGER-RNA IN THE BRAIN

Much evidence implicates interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in sleep regul ation. Two previous studies indicated that levels of IL-1 beta in mRNA were affected by sleep, In the current study, levels of IL-1 beta mRN A and IL-1 receptor assessory protein (IL-1RAP) mRNA were determined 1 h after the beginning of light and dark periods and after sleep depri vation, using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) and mutated internal standards. Daytime samples contained relativ ely more IL-1 beta mRNA than nighttime samples, and levels of IL-1 bet a mRNA were higher after sleep deprivation. These changes occurred in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and mesencephalon/pons . In contrast, the IL-1 RAP mRNA level did not seem to be affected by sleep.