The reticular system has an important regulatory role in the maintenance of muscle tone based on the balanced influence of the inhibitory and facilitating regions of the reticular formation [ 74].
The actual molecular enlightenment of the circadian and ultradian oscillators (rhythms) as well as the undeniable influence with which the glial system acts on the neuronal system is a challenge to reconsider the integrative decision function of the reticular formation using the principles of musical composition as a paradigm.
Brainstem shock may be defined as a global neurological condition involving a transient or permanent impairment of one or more of the following vital functions: the reticular activating system, respiratory drive, or the LCR.
Arousal reflects a function of the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) [9], while awareness is more complicated and has been attributed to the functional integrity of the cerebral cortex and its subcortical connections [10, 11].
Arousal reflects a function of the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) [ 9], while awareness is more complicated and has been attributed to the functional integrity of the cerebral cortex and its subcortical connections [ 10, 11].
My hypothetical model is as follows: Since astrocytes determine the function of the neuronal system in the reticular formation, astrocytes must be interconnected via gap junctions building a network, called syncytium.
This process involves the DMN (as defined by activity that correlates with the PCC), components of the reticular activating system, the thalamus, and parts of the cortex.
At present, there is no evidence that CFS patients have lesions in the reticular activating system [ 9, 102], although there is some limited evidence of abnormalities of metabolism, blood flow, and electrical activity in the brainstem [ 81, 103- 105], the anatomical site of the reticular activating system [ 87, 88].
Electrical stimulation of the ascending reticular systems arouses a sleeping cat to alert consciousness and simultaneously activates its brain waves to the waking pattern.
It is more likely, however, that the cortex serves the more specialized functions of integrating patterns of sensory experience and organizing motor patterns and that the ascending reticular system represents the neural structures most critically related to consciousness.
