Stimulation of cholinergic receptors in the medial preoptic area affects sleep and cortical temperature

The medial preoptic area (MPA), a cholinoceptive brain area devoid of cholinergic cells, plays an important role in the regulation of different physiological functions, particularly sleep control and thermoregulation. To investigate the effects of the stimulation of cholinergic receptors in this area on sleep and cortical temperature (Tcort), carbachol (a mixed cholinergic agonist) was directly microinjected into the MPA of freely moving rats. Carbachol (0.25 and 0.5 microgram, corresponding to 1.37 and 2.74 nmol) microinjection induced an increase in wakefulness and an inhibition of both slow wave and desynchronized sleep phases. The temperature of the cerebral cortex was reduced in comparison with control conditions (saline microinjection). Sterile needle insertion and saline microinjections induced a significant increase in Tcort, but no changes in the sleep-wake cycle compared with the handling of the animal. The results suggest that 1) carbachol microinjection into the MPA can activate an arousal-generating system and affect thermoregulatory mechanisms, and 2) sleep and temperature responses may be dissociated.