Rat sleep and eye movement density as biological markers of demyelinating disease

Myelin mutants provide an opportunity to study neurophysiological and behavioral effects of demyelination. The taiep rats are myelin mutants with progressive demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in five neurological symptoms: tremor, ataxia, immobility, epilepsy, and paralysis. The demyelination affects the brainstem, an important area in the control of sleep. This study compared eye movement density (EMD) in taiep vs. normal control rats during paradoxical sleep (PS). It was hypothesized that taiep rats would have significantly reduced EMD during PS in comparison to normal controls due to their demyelinating disease. In addition, demyelination of brainstem structures would suggest possible changes in sleep–wake structure. Hence, we compared sleep–wake stages in taiep vs. normal, control rats. The results confirmed significantly reduced EMD during PS in taiep rats compared to normal rats during the 12-h (light) recording period. In addition, analysis of EMD values across the 12-h light period revealed significant differences in EMD values as a function of time of day in the taeip rats only. Comparison of waking and sleep values across the 12-h light phase revealed an “immobility episode” in three taiep rats, which was not present in normal controls. In addition, PS percentage was significantly lower and low-voltage sleep was significantly higher in taiep rats. These results suggest that EMD, immobility episodes, and sleep architecture may be useful as measurable biological events in the study of demyelinating disease. The results were discussed in terms of possible mechanisms underlying these differences, as well as possible implications for future studies.