Pontine tegmentum

Part of the pons of the brain involved in REM sleep. It is located in proximity to the raphe nucleus and the locus coreuleus.

Animal studies have shown that lesions of the pontine tegmentum can greatly reduce or even eliminate REM sleep. Injection of a cholinergic agonist (e.g. carbachol), into the pontine tegmentum, produces a state of REM sleep in the cat.

PET studies seem to indicate that there is a correlation between the blood flow in the pontine tegmentum, REM sleep and dreaming.

Pontine waves (P-waves), or ponto-geniculate-occipital waves, are generated in the pontine tegmentum. They can be observed in mammals, and precede the onset and continue throughout REM sleep. After training, P-wave density increases in rats. This may be an indication of a link between sleep and learning.

Trapezoid body is part of the pontine tegmentum.