Javier Velázquez Moctezuma

Update of sleep alterations in depression

Sleep disturbances in depression are up to 70%. Patients frequently have difficulty in falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night and non-restorative sleep. Sleep abnormalities in depression are mainly characterized by increased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and reduced slow wave sleep. Among the mechanisms of sleep disturbances in depression are hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, CLOCK gene polymorphism and primary sleep disorders. The habenula is a structure regulating the activities of monoaminergic neurons in the brain. The hyperactivation of the habenula has also been implicated, together with sleep disturbances, in depression. The presence of depression in primary sleep disorders is common. Sleep disturbances treatment include pharmacotherapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Individual differences in testosterone and corticosterone levels in relation to early postnatal development in the rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus.

Many aspects of an animals early development contribute to the emergence of individual differences in physiology. Here we asked whether litter size, birth mass, suckling success and postnatal growth were predictors of individual differences in testosterone (T) and corticosterone (CORT) levels in neonatal domestic rabbits. Serum concentrations of both hormones, which we measured on postnatal day 8, were significantly and positively correlated with pup growth and milk intake. Litter size and birth mass were not significantly correlated with levels of T and CORT, although both parameters were indirectly associated with the levels of these hormones via their effects on milk intake and pup growth. Our results highlight the importance of naturally occurring features of the postnatal environment in shaping individual differences in T and CORT levels during early life.

GABAA receptor agonist at the caudo-lateral peribrachial area suppresses ponto-geniculo-occipital waves and its related states

PURPOSE In order to explore the potential role of GABA, acetylcholine and glutamate in the caudo-lateral peribrachial area (C-PBL) over Rapid-Eye-Movement sleep (REM) onset and maintenance as well as on synchronized sleep with ponto-geniculo-occipital (PGO) waves (SP) in cats, a muscimol, carbachol and L-glutamate local application was performed and behavioral states were assessed. METHODS Fourteen chronically implanted, adult, male cats underwent a 23 hour polysomnographic recording after 3 pharmacological manipulations: carbachol, muscimol and L-glutamate. Each cat received all three drugs randomly with a seven day interval. RESULTS 1) Carbachol increases waking, SP and REM sleep while decreases slow wave sleep (SWS). 2) Muscimol decreases SP percentage and number while increases REM sleep onset. 3) Carbachol facilitates PGO activity and increases the latency to both SWS1 and REM sleep but enhances PGO activity while muscimol decreases it. CONCLUSIONS Acetylcholine promotes PGO related states (SP as well as REM sleep), while GABA reduces only SP and specifically PGOs.