The effects of high intensity white noise on the sleep pattern of the rat

Abstract

EEG’s were recorded from 5 rats during 24 hr. of continuous high intensity white noise following a 24 hr. baseline period, to determine the effect of this treatment upon the sleep pattern. It was found that the treatment reduced the amount of paradoxical sleep (PS) although there was no recovery during post treatment recording as reported by Khazan & Sawyer (1963) for the rabbit. Total amounts of sleep did not change, although significant changes in mean length and frequency of the sleep episode were found. It is thought that the observed PS decrement was secondary to the reduction in sleep episode length. © 1966, Psychonomic Press. All rights reserved.