Reticular Formation

TYPES OF RF

Ascending RF (ARS/ARAS) Descending RF (DRS)

ARAS Complex polysynaptic pathway Extending from lower pons to thalamus (mainly Cholinergic system) Receives impulse from: Specific: long somatic sensory pathways o Eg: Trigeminal, olfactory, auditory, visual Non-specific: Ascending pathway Cortigugal & Thalamocortical helps alert and conscious function (wakefulness) & Responsible for eeg waves Inhibiton of ARAS play role in Sleep SLEEP Physiological process: bodily functions are periodically rested. Deep Sleep consciousness & power of will are partially/completely suspended Sleepresults from reduction in sensory inputs Can be aroused by sensory stimulation

FUNCTIONS
Concerned with conscious alert states makes perception possible PONTINE RF Excite antigravity muscles through ascending somatosensory fibers, vestibular nuclei and cerebellar nuclei MEDULLARY RF inhibit antigravity muscle through reticulospinal fibers from the cortical and red nucleus inputs. Regulation of CVS and respiratory functions BP, HR, Respiration

DRS Constitute of Reticular Fibers descending to spinal cord through Reticulospinal tract Influence afferent and efferent by Inhibiton or Facilitation Descending Inhibitory Reticular Projection Reduce movement by acting on the pyramidal tract & via cerebellar connections Descending Facilitory Reticular Projection Facilitates movement through reiculospinal pathways and the vestibulospinal tract by influencing antigravity muscle tone

1.REM Sleep Last for 5-30 minutes EEG desynchronized pattern Important for human mental well being If aroused during REM period become irritated manifest many more periods of REM sleep in subsequent nights Charecteristics: Bursts of Saccadic eye movements: small, jerky, fast. May be associated to watching visual images of dreams REM sleep is closely associated with Dreaming. Increase and irregular BP, HR and respiratory rate Bruxism in children, Erection of the penis, engorgement of clitoris, muscle twitches (face & limb) may occur. 2.Non REM

TYPES OF SLEEP FACTORS (+)Darkened room, relaxed body muscles, comfortable temperature & surroundings, silence, physical exhaustion (-)Anxiety, emotional disturbace Sleep Cycle 2 phases: NREM followed by REM sleep Average Total Sleep Period: 4- 5 cycles, each lasting 90-100 minutes. NREM=80%, & REM=20% sleeping time, newborn & infants REM = 50% sleeping time REM increases towards morning Genesis of sleep Non-REM Sleep Inhibition of RAS inputs & stimulation of sleep promoting mechanism located in the thalamus Which are influenced by post. Hypothalamus and RF in medulla REM Sleep Discharge of NE from Pontine RF and in locus ceruleus Cholinergic discharge play role to shift NREM to REM sleep

Control of Sleep Cycle Neural Humoral/Chemical NE, serotonin, Ach, Hypotoxin, delta sleep inducing peptide, sleep promoting factor

Period of sleep & wakefulness alternate once in 24 hrscontrolled by Biological clock (SCN) Arousal system: stimulation of sensory receptors, RF, hypothalamus. Sleep System: removal of these stimuli