Research
Vagal afferent activation induces a dissociated NREM sleep-like state with wake-related locus coeruleus activity
Nature · By Najma Cherrad ·
The Brief
- A Nature Communications study reports that activating vagal sensory afferents induces a NREM sleep-like state.
- The induced state shows low-frequency EEG activity, according to the source excerpt.
- The sleep-like state is described as dissociated, with wake-related locus coeruleus activity.
Why it matters
It suggests peripheral body signals carried by the vagus nerve can influence sleep state, a mechanism that is not well understood.
Who’s affected
- sleep researchers
- neuroscientists studying autonomic and brainstem control of sleep
- #sleep
- #vagus nerve
- #locus coeruleus
- #neuroscience
- #nrem sleep
Nature Communications, Published online: 13 November 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-79135-y The role of peripheral signals in sleep state regulation is not well understood. Here authors show that vagal sensory afferent activation induces a NREMS-like state with low-frequency EEG…
Timeline
Published online in Nature Communications
nature.com
Vagal afferent activation induces a dissociated NREM sleep-like state with wake-related locus coeruleus activity