Effects of electrical stimulation in the amygdala on ponto-geniculo-occipital waves in rats.

We examined the role of the amygdala in the modulation of sleep and ponto-geniculo-occipital (PGO) waves in the rat. The amygdala projects massively, via its central nucleus, into brainstem regions involved in alerting and in the generation of rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep and PGO waves. Electrical stimulation of the central nucleus of the amygdala during REM sleep increased PGO wave amplitude. Stimulation during non-REM sleep decreased PGO wave frequency. The results indicate that the amygdala has a role in modulating brainstem neural mechanisms underlying alerting during sleep.