Neurobiology of Sleep-Wakefulness Cycle 2(1): 33-36, 2002
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© 2002 NSWC

Letter to the Editor

ORIGIN OF SLEEP

Kovalzon V. M.

Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow

Recieved 31 January 2002.

Summary

Phylogenetically simultaneous origin of the waking state ("neowaking") and slow wave sleep (SWS) is supposed related to evolutionary appearance of homoiothermia in mammals and birds. Paradoxical sleep (PS) is regarded in a way of "archeowaking", that is the result of evolutionary transformation of the primitive waking state of poikilothermic vertebrates.

Key Words: evolution of sleep.

Correspondence: Kovalzon Victor M.,
Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences,
Leninsky Prospect, 33, 119071 Moscow, Russia
E-mail: kovalzon@male.ru