Japanese scientists have found that dopamine regulates the change in sleep phases.

    The discovery of Japanese scientists reveals a new understanding of the nature of the brain and offers opportunities for the treatment of cataplexy and narcolepsy - neurological syndromes associated with sudden bouts of sleepiness. 

    REM and non-REM sleep are two different states of the brain, but it has not yet been clear how this switching mechanism works.

    Scientists from the University of Tsukuba found that a temporary increase in dopamine levels in the basolateral amygdala triggers the transition from one sleep state to another, writes News Medical. The phases of REM and non-REM sleep alternate with each other during the night, and scientists now have a better understanding of the patterns of these transitions.

    Previous observations have shown that during REM sleep, a region of the amygdala associated with emotions is activated. In experiments on mouse models, they set out to investigate the effect of dopamine on this activity, and the results were quite unexpected.

    Previous observations have shown that during REM sleep, a region of the amygdala associated with emotions is activated. In experiments on mouse models, they set out to investigate the effect of dopamine on this activity, and the results were quite unexpected.