Long-duration insomnia after lesions of the perikaryons of the paramedian preoptic area in cats

The destruction of paramedian preoptic neurons by intra-tissue injection of ibotenic acid induces, in the cat, the disappearance of deep slow wave sleep and paradoxical sleep for 2 to 4 weeks, while light slow wave sleep is slightly disturbed. This insomnia, well tolerated, is not secondarily associated with central temperature disturbance.