A discrete glycinergic neuronal population in the ventromedial medulla that induces muscle atonia during REM sleep and cataplexy in mice

During rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, anti-gravity muscle tone and bodily movements are mostly absent, because somatic motoneurons are inhibited by descending inhibitory pathways. Recent studies showed that glycine/GABA neurons in the ventromedial medulla (VMM) (Gly^VMM neurons) play an important role in generating muscle atonia during REM sleep (REM-atonia). CLICK TO REVIEW