Intracellular determination of membrane potential of trigeminal motoneurons during sleep and wakefulness.

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Abstract
A chronic cat preparation is described in which it is possible to record intracellularly from identified trigeminal (jaw-closer) motoneurons for prolonged periods of time throughout states of wakefulness, quiet sleep and active sleep. The membrane potential of these motoneurons hyperpolarized slightly (1-2 mV) as the animal changed state from alert wakefulness to quiet sleep. During active sleep, compared to quiet sleep, hyperpolarization of 2-10 mV was observed. Sustained spike activity of trigeminal jaw-closer motoneurons, which was present during wakefulness, decreased in frequency or tended to occur in bursts when the animal entered quiet sleep. During active sleep, spike activity ceased except for a few isolated spikes or short-duration bursts.