This Science News Wire page contains a press release issued by an organization and is provided to you "as is" with little or no review from Science X staff.

Looking Inside the Brain to Understand Sleep

April 23rd, 2012

Sleep is among the most familiar, yet mysterious things we do. Nearly all creatures sleep – insects, reptiles, mammals – and without sleep we obviously suffer. However, the changes in brains that cause creatures to sleep remain far from understood. To gain insight on this fundamental behavior, researchers must look to what’s happening to the neurons inside the brain during sleep.

This is precisely what neuroscientists are doing in leading labs around the world, including Courtney Pinard at the University of Laval in Canada. Pinard surgically implants electrodes in rats and then using these electrodes to record brain activity during sleep and anesthesia. By doing so, she discovered that serotonin – a chemical released by certain types of neurons that is known to change mood and appetite – may be a key player in determining the nature of sleep and vigilance in general.

Pinard will speak about her research at the University of Arkansas on Monday, April 30, in PHYS 133 from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Please contact Woodrow Shew for more information contact shew@uark.edu.

Provided by University of Arkansas

Citation: Looking Inside the Brain to Understand Sleep (2012, April 23) retrieved 7 August 2026 from https://sciencex.com/wire-news/96619831/looking-inside-the-brain-to-understand-sleep.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.