, 2011). We note that defective frontal functioning is also observed after sleep deprivation. This paper and the companion article (Rolls et al., 2003) thus serve to provide preliminary baseline observations and data for more detailed sleep studies of this important PFC region in monkey and humans (Vogt, 2009; Teffer & Semendeferi, 2012). The

investigations also provide unique data on the firing rates of mPFC SB431542 in vivo neurons during wakefulness, drowsiness and sleep. In summary, we have shown that in many areas of the primate mPFC, there is a significant population of neurons (about 28% of the sampled cells) that significantly increase their firing rates during periods of inattention and eye-closure. The firing rates of this set of mPFC neurons (Type 1 cells) averaged 3.1 spikes/s when

awake, and 10.2 spikes/s in the eyes-closed and drowsy state. Such neurons may be part of an interconnected network of distributed brain regions that are more active at rest than during tasks requiring attention. In humans and monkeys, these areas are part of the anterior default mode network, defined by increased activation in functional neuroimaging studies during the resting state (Raichle et al., 2001). The novel findings reported here provide direct electrophysiological evidence that many single neurons in these areas of mPFC significantly increase their firing rates during periods of eye-closure and Ruxolitinib rest. We acknowledge, with gratitude, the help and support of Andrew Healey (Imperial College, London), Justus Verhagen (J B Pierce Lab, Yale University), Miki Kadohisa (Oxford University) and Payam Rezaie (The Open University, Milton Keynes). This project was supported by grants from the MRC (UK) to E.T.R. Abbreviations BA Brodmann area fMRI functional magnetic resonance imaging mPFC medial prefrontal cortex REM rapid eye movement SWS slow wave

sleep “
“The free-running circadian period is approximately 30 min shorter in adult male than in adult female Octodon degus. The sex difference emerges after puberty, resulting from a shortened free-running circadian period in males. Castration before puberty prevents the emergence Nintedanib (BIBF 1120) of the sex difference, but it is not a function of circulating gonadal hormones as such, because castration later in life does not affect free-running circadian period. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not the shortening of the free-running circadian period in male degus results from exposure to gonadal hormones after puberty. We hypothesized that masculinization of the circadian period results from an organizational effect of androgen exposure during a post-pubertal sensitive period.