- REM sleep deprivation induces hyperlocomotion, reduced anxiety, and increased OCD-like and stereotyped behaviours in both sexes, effects generally greater in females.
- Hippocampal expression of BDNF, CREB, DAT and Arc is reduced while GFAP is increased in REM SD rats, with sex-dependent magnitudes.
- Arc, DAT and GFAP are implicated in manic and OCD-like phenotypes induced by REM SD, suggesting these pathways as potential therapeutic targets.
Behav Brain Funct. 2026 Jul 31;22(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s12993-026-00359-5.
ABSTRACT
Rapid-eye movement sleep deprivation (REM SD) has controversial effects on behavioral functions and cognitive abilities. Recent evidence has shown that REM SD in rats may lead to manic- and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)-like behaviors. The present study aimed to assess the effect of REM SD in both sexes of rats on locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, stereotyped behaviors, and OCD-like behavior. The possible role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element-binding (CREB), dopamine transporter (DAT), glia fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) was also assessed using real-time PCR. REM SD was done for 14 days (6 h/d). Locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, grooming, and sniffing were measured using the open field test, and the marble burying test measured repetitive/compulsive-like responses. The results showed REM SD in both sexes led to hyperlocomotion, decreased anxiety, and increased OCD-like and stereotyped behaviors, with more effects in females except anxiety-like behavior. Also, the expression level of BDNF, CREB, DAT, and Arc was decreased and GFAP was increased in the hippocampus of both sexes of REM SD rats, with more effects in females except CREB. In conclusion, and for the first time, the present study showed the possible role of Arc, DAT, and GFAP in the induction of OCD- and manic-like behaviors and stereotyped behaviors in both sexes of rats. We also observed reduced BDNF and CREB expression in REM SD animals, suggesting a potential association between these molecular alterations and the behavioral changes induced by REM SD. Interventions targeting these molecular pathways could offer promising therapeutic strategies for REM SD-induced mood disorders.
PMID:42947192 | DOI:10.1186/s12993-026-00359-5
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