Effects of Stimulation of Glutamatergic Receptors in Medial Septum on Power Spectrum Analysis of EEG in Rats

摘要

Brain stem arousal systems transmit their effects to the cerebral cortex partly through basal forebrain including medial septum (MS). Cholinergic neurones of basal forebrain are inhibited by norepinephrine and acetylcholine. Glutamatergic neurones in MS may be an excitatory link between brain stem projecting systems and cholinergic system of MS. The present study has been designed to investigate the role of glutamate receptors present in MS on the duration of sleep-wake and electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectra in conscious rats. The duration of wake was increased and duration of slow wave sleep (SWS) was decreased after infusion of glutamate into MS. The durations of wake and SWS remained unaltered after infusion of glutamate receptor antagonist 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) in MS of rats. The power of delta waves of EEG was decreased in both wake and SWS after infusion of glutamate in MS. There was a generalized increase of power of alpha, beta, theta and delta waves of EEG after infusion of DNQX in MS. Results of this study indicate that glutamate receptors in MS may modulate the cortical arousal mechanism.