EFFECT OF REPEATED PENICILLIN MICROINJECT IONS IN RAFE DORSAL NUCLEUSON SLEEP ORGANIZATION DURING 23 HRS REGISTER IN THE CAT

The effect of repeated ''G'' sodic penicillin (Pn) microinjections (50 -IU/1 mu l) in the nucleus raphe dorsalis (NDR) of free-moving cats wa s investigated. The following variables were measured: a) progressive behavioral changes evolution recorded and analyzed in videotape, and b ) analysis of sleep organization and architecture, measured by 23 bour s recordings. The results shows that Pn microinjection in the NDR fail to induce interictal spikes. paroxysms and generalized convulsive sei zures. The Pn repeated microinjection does not produce important chang es in the layout and organization of sleep. Nevertheless the increment of rapid eye movement sleep percentage and total time was significant . Another significant finding was the appearance of compulsive groomin g. The chemical stimulation of the NDR induce similar behavioral chang es as the electrical stimulation of the same nucleus.