Effects of rapid eye movement sleep deprivation on the properties of striatal dopaminergic system

Abstract

Using the water tank procedure, we have examined the effects of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation and associated stress on the properties of striatal dopaminergic system. While stress decreased the number of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors, a combination of REM sleep deprivation attenuated the decrease. The ratio of D1 to D2 densities, however, increased on both the stress and REM sleep deprivation groups. In contrast, the number of dopamine uptake sites remained unchanged. The enhanced behavioral responses to dopaminergic stimulants after REM sleep deprivation are discussed.