[Dynamics of local blood flow in different areas of the hypothalamus during the sleep-wakefulness cycle].

In cats with implanted electrodes, the local blood flow (LCBF) was studied in different hypothalamic areas using the electrochemically generated hydrogen. During paradoxical sleep (PS), the level of LCBF increases in the posterior hypothalamus, while decreasing in the anterior hypothalamus and preoptic area. In slow wave sleep (SWS), however, the level of LCBF increases in the anterior hypothalamus and preoptic area, while decreasing in the posterior hypothalamus. These shifts of LCBF during PS are supposed to reflect an enhancement of the posterior hypothalamus functional activity. During SWS the functional activity must be enhanced in the anterior hypothalamus and preoptic area, while being suppressed in the posterior hypothalamus.