REM sleep deprivation impairs serial reversal and probability maximizing in rats

Abstract

Deprivation of REM sleep (REMD) for about 3 h immediately after training greatly impaired serial spatial reversal and spatial-probability maximizing. REMD beginning 3 h after training had no effect. These results are consistent with the fact that these tasks clearly distinguish the learning ability of species with REM sleep (mammals, birds) from those without REM sleep (fish). The results suggest that the greater flexibility of mammalian behavior compared to that of lower species involves a REM-sleep information-processing mechanism. © 1974, Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.