Optogenetic Activation of the Sublaterodorsal (SLD) Nucleus Induces Rapid Muscle Inhibition

Abstract : The sublaterodorsal (SLD) nucleus is hypothesized to induce muscle atonia during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This was tested by injecting channelrhodopsin into the SLD of 5 rats, followed by a series of behavioral tests. Results confirmed our ability to rapidly induce muscle atonia following optogenetic stimulation of the SLD, suggesting that activation of the SLD is sufficient to cause a REM atonia like state.