Pannexins are a protein family playing an important role in the intercellular communication. We have previously demonstrated the elevated locomotor activity and wake time percentage at the expense of NREM sleep in Panx1­/­ as compared to WT mice. This effect is possibly due to the decreased level of cerebral adenosine in Panx1­/­ mice. Thus we also proposed possible disturbances in thermoregulation and the circadian temperature curve. To check up the hypothesis, 8 adult male Panx1­/­ and 8 correspondent WT mice; were implanted with intraperitoneal autonomic temperature and movement probes under anesthesia. The recording were performed for several months at the room temperature (23 ) 1°С). The results confirmed our previous data on higher movement activity in Panx1­/­ vs. WT mice. Circadian rhythm of body temperature was the same in both groups of mice. Increased tendency to fall into torpor in Panx1­/­ vs. WT mice was observed in the four pairs of animals that were studied after the summer solstice. Howevwe, no falls were observed in another four pairs of mice studied after the winter solstice. Thus, the role of Panx1 gene in the circadian rhythm of rest-activity was confirmed, although its role in the temperature rhythm and thermoregulatory reactions remains unclear and requires further investigation.

Adult male mice C57BL/6 (n = 105) were divided into five groups. The first group served as a control. In the 2nd–5th groups, the animals were treated subcutaneously with 40 mg/kg of proneurotoxin MPTP (methylphenyltetrahydropyridine), which forms a state similar to the initial stage of Parkinson’s disease over a 2-week period. Mice of groups 3–5 daily received an additive along with their food: one of three extracts of the biomass of the litter beetle Alphitobius diaperinus. In 2 weeks, all animals were tested for motor disorders in the vertical bar test; they were then euthanized and histochemical analysis of the dopamine-containing brain regions was performed. In addition, the same extracts were tested for counteraction to MPP+ toxin in cultured neuroblastoma cells. It was found that the primary aqueous and, especially, secondary water–methanol extracts had a powerful protective effect against the neurotoxic effect judging by the results of both the behavioral test and morphological control. Arginine was found at substantial concentrations in both effective extracts. An in vitro study confirmed the protective effect of the primary aqueous extract.

Five groups of C57Bl/6JSto mice (groups 1–5) were tested on a vertical pole two weeks after s.c. administration (groups 2–5) of the proneurotoxin methylphenyltetrahydropyridine (MPTP) at a dose of 40 mg per kg, which at this time induces sensorimotor impairments similar to the early stage of Parkinson’s disease. Mice of group 1 served as controls. One week before MPTP administration and throughout the whole of the post-treatment period (two weeks), animals of groups 3–5 received a feed supplement (8 g/kg of feed) consisting of one of three extracts of biomass homogenate of the “remedy” beetle Alphitobius diaperinus . Extracts were: aqueous (No. 1), aqueous-methanolic (No. 2), and aqueous-methanolic after solid-phase extraction (No. 3). Extracts were immobilized on a plant-based carrier. Animals of groups 1 and 2 were kept on a standard diet without supplementation. The severe sensorimotor impairments seen in mice of group 2 (toxin) did not occur in either group 1 (controls) or groups 3–5, where animals received dietary supplementation with “antidote” consisting of darkling beetle biomass extract. The most effective was preparation No. 3.

Computer programs for the automatic analysis of the electroencephalogram (EEG) from humans and animals have entered wide use and are successfully employed in many areas of physiological research. They are of particular value for sleep studies, as traditional expert analysis of polysomnograms (PSG) is very laborious. The aim of the present work was to investigate the relationship between the accuracy of automatic staging and the EEG spectral parameters characterizing activity specific for the waking and sleep states. This relationship can be used as an objective measure of the quality of PSG traces, i.e., the extent of signs providing for the identification and differentiation of waking and the various sleep phases. We found a statistically significant relationship (including linear) between the accuracy of automatic staging and various spectral EEG characteristics in mice. This approach to automated PSG analysis provides objective criteria for trace quality with a priori assessment of the accuracy of automatic staging.

Mice with previously implanted electrodes for recording the cortical electroencephalogram and electromyograms underwent all-day baseline videopolysomnography with a 12/12 light cycle, after which animals received doses of 24 or 48 mg/kg of the neurotoxin precursor MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1.2.3.7-tetrahydropyridine) or physiological saline (controls) and recording was continued for 14 days. At the end of the experiments, morphological monitoring of the extent of lesions to the dopaminergic system was performed. Increases in motor activity and the total duration of waking during the dark part of the night were seen after administration of MPTP, as compared with controls. These changes were accompanied by decreases in the durations of rapid and (at the level of a tendency) slow-wave sleep. These changes were apparent by recording day 7 and were significant by day 14; they were more marked after treatment at a dose of 48 mg/kg than after the smaller dose. No changes were seen during the light period of the day. Morphological monitoring demonstrated a 70% reduction in the number of dopamine-containing neurons in the compact zone of the substantia nigra after administration of MPTP (48 mg/kg) and a 35% drop after MPTP (24 mg/kg).

The problem of chronic sleep deficit inherent to modern city population, which is one of the most important reasons of health disorders as well as various accidents in both transport and industry, is regarded in the review. The mechanism of a “biological clock” is briefly described. The data of the effects of the different regimens of time calculi upon circadian rhythmicity are given. The present regimen and time zone borders are regarded as extremely unfortunate. It is suggested that the fast turn back to the classical system of time zones and correspondent “Sun” time is the interest of the major part of population, especially children.

This review addresses contemporary experimental data on the functioning of the main neurotransmitter systems of the brain involved in arousal reactions and the maintenance of waking.