Functional Anatomy of the Sleep-Wake-fulness Cycle: Wakefulness (Advances in Anatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology)

Wakefulness is a necessary, active and periodic brain state, with a circadian and homeostatic regulation and precisely meshed with other states into the sleep-wakefulness cycle. This monograph first overviews the historical background and current understanding of the neuronal systems generating and/or maintaining the various phases of the sleep-wakefulness cycle. A key cellular correlate of wakefulness is a sustained mode of high activity and plasticity in the closely intertwined circuits of the cortex and thalamus, the "thalamo-cerebral cortex unity". The second part of the monograph provides an in-depth review of recent advances on the anatomy, physiology and neurochemistry of the neuronal groups known to drive the "thalamo-cerebral cortex unity" into their wakefulness mode, and to keep them in such mode. Interestingly, these neuronal groups are located in the brainstem, hypothalamus or basal forebrain; collectively, they are known as the "ascending reticular activating system". Neurotransmitter-specific pathways arising from these neuronal groups target the thalamus and cortex. The various neurotransmitters interact on postsynaptic cortical or thalamic cells to fine-tune their excitability and plasticity, exerting powerful influences on the perceptual and cognitive processes as well as attentional, emotional, motivational, behavioral and arousal states. In turn, corticofugal axons reach the neuronal groups of the "ascending reticular activating system", and thus the awake "thalamo-cerebral cortex unity" is in position to modulate their activity. --Book Jacket Functional Anatomy of the Sleep-Wakefulness Cycle: Wakefulness 4 Acknowledgment 6 Abstract 8 List of Contents 10 Abbreviations 12 Chapter 1: The Sleep-Wakefulness Cycle 14 Chapter 2: Revision of the Publications Describing the Anatomical Connections and Effects of Lesions and Electrical Stimulation of Brain Structures on the Sleep–Wakefulness Cycle 18 Chapter 3: Functional Anatomy of Wakefulness 75 References 122 Subject Index 140 Sleep is a necessary, active, diverse and periodic condition, homeostatically regulated and precisely meshed with waking time into the sleep-wakefulness cycle. The authors present a detailed and updated review of the structures involved in the phase of wakefulness, including their morphological, functional and chemical characteristics, as well as their anatomical connections Front Matter....Pages i-xii The Sleep–Wakefulness Cycle....Pages 1-4 Revision of the Publications Describing the Anatomical Connections and Effects of Lesions and Electrical Stimulation of Brain Structures on the Sleep–Wakefulness Cycle....Pages 5-61 Functional Anatomy of Wakefulness....Pages 63-109 Back Matter....Pages 111-130