Single neuron activity in cat gigantocellular tegmental field: selectivity of discharge in desynchronized sleep.

Ratios of discharge rates in desynchronized sleep to those in waking and synchronized sleep of gigantocellular neurons are five to ten times higher than are those of neurons in adjacent tegmental fields and 25 to 30 times higher than in other brain sites. This marked concentration of activity in desynchronized sleep is compatible with an active roie of gigantocellular neurons in the generation of this sleep phase.