J. Kohyama et al., INACTIVATION OF THE PONS BLOCKS MEDULLARY-INDUCED MUSCLE TONE SUPPRESSION IN THE DECEREBRATE CAT, Sleep (New York, N.Y.), 21(7), 1998, pp. 695-699
The pontomedullary region is responsible for the reduction of muscle a
ctivity in rapid-eye-movement sleep and contributes to the control of
muscle tone in waking. This study sought to clarify the nature of the
interaction between the pontine and medullary reticular formation in m
ediating muscle tone suppression. The degree of medullary-induced neck
muscle tone suppression in the decerebrate cat was assessed before an
d after microinjection of lidocaine into the pontine reticular formati
on. Medullary stimulation-induced suppression of neck muscle tone was
blocked after pontine lidocaine microinjection. The maximum blockade w
as observed at 16.6 minutes on average after the injection, and recove
ry occurred within 45 minutes. We conclude that descending mechanisms
from the medulla are not sufficient for the triggering of muscle tone
suppression. A two-way interaction between the medulla and pens is hyp
othesized to play a crucial role in the control of muscle tone.