δ震蕩(Delta oscillations)是慢波睡眠(slow wave sleep)的腦電圖(electroencephalogram, EEG)特征。它用來(lái)評(píng)價(jià)睡眠的深度和需要,被認(rèn)為與睡眠的恢復(fù)功能(recovery function)密切相關(guān)。皮質(zhì)(cortical)和丘腦(thalamic)水平上,δ震蕩波產(chǎn)生的細(xì)胞機(jī)制(cellular mechanisms)已經(jīng)被詳細(xì)地描述過(guò),但是其中的分子調(diào)節(jié)機(jī)制(molecular regulatory mechanisms)還不清楚。Maret等人在小鼠中的研究表明,編碼視黃酸受體β(etinoic acid receptor beta)的基因決定了δ震蕩對(duì)睡眠的腦電圖的影響。因此,參與大腦和多巴胺通路(dopaminergic pathways)圖示發(fā)育(patterning)的視黃酸信號(hào)調(diào)節(jié)了成人皮質(zhì)的綜合癥狀(cortical synchrony)。
圖:Mapping of a gene regulating the relative contribution of theta and delta oscillations to the sleep EEG
參閱文獻(xiàn):Retinoic Acid Signaling Affects Cortical Synchrony During Sleep, Science, Vol 310, Issue 5745, 111-113 , 7 October 2005