Two powerful brain chemical systems work together to paralyse skeletal muscles during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
The neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine caused REM sleep paralysis in rats by “switching off” the specialised cells in the brain which allow muscles to be active.
The finding may help scientists better understand and treat sleep disorders, including narcolepsy, tooth grinding, and REM sleep behaviour disorder.
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