Ascending Reticular System: What It Is, Parts, Functions And How To Activate It

The ascending reticular activating system (RAAS), known as the ascending reticular system in one of the subunits that form the reticular formation a set of neurons interconnected, through synaptic connections, located throughout the brain stem.

Specifically, the ascending reticular system is a very important part of the nervous system, as it is responsible for regulating the transitions between the states of sleep and wakefulness.

The ascending reticular system is made up of various types of nuclei specialized in different types of neurotransmitters with diverse functions. For this reason, each part of the ascending reticular system takes the name of each sector. Next, we will see in detail the parts of the nuclei that form the ascending reticular system:

• noradrenergic nuclei : here are the locus coeruleus and noradrenergic nuclei of the brainstem. These nuclei influence the regulation of body temperature, as well as attention, mood, and the impact of the cardiovascular system.
• Serotonergic nuclei : the dorsal and medial nuclei of the raphe are found. Serotonin is the component of these nuclei that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
• histaminergic nucleus : Located in the posterior hypothalamus, histaminergic neurons regulate the wake cycle, in the same way as other nuclei, and also promote digestion, the immune response to pathogenic organisms, and sexual performance.
• Dopaminergic nuclei : responsible for the production of dopamine, one of the hormones involved in the development of memory, intellectual function and movement control. The main dopaminergic nuclei are the ventral tegmental area and the substantia nigra.
• cholinergic nuclei : They are located between the amygdala, the hippocampus and the neocortex. The main ones are the cholinergic nuclei of the forebrain and the nuclei of the pontine tegmentum, specifically the laterodorsal and pedunculopontine nuclei. Its function is to regulate cognition and the processing of information coming from outside. On the other hand, cholinergic nuclei also regulate the body’s motor skills.
• glutamatergic nuclei : Glutamate is another hormone that acts in the development of functions of the human body. At the thalamic level, we have the supramammillary nucleus and, at the level of the brainstem, we have the parabrachial nucleus, the precoeruleus and the tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus.
• thalamic nuclei : They are the intermediate areas known as the thalamic reticular nucleus and the interlaminar nucleus. They are responsible for processing sensory information, that is, the thalamic nuclei are involved in sending information to certain areas of the cerebral cortex.

In line with the previous section, it is important to know what the ascending reticular system does to understand what physiological processes in the body it intervenes in. As we have mentioned, each nucleus of this structure has its particularity that affects it. Next, we will explain the main functions of the ascending reticular system:

• Regulation of the sleep-wake cycle : neurotransmitters linked to the management of sleep and wakefulness states enable the passage from one state to another.
• Maintenance of the state of consciousness : the ability to think and reflect about our own actions is closely related to the correct functioning of the ascending reticular system.
• Focusing of attention : Human beings have the quality of establishing certain attentional focuses in different situations. This occurs thanks to the intervention of the ascending reticular system. To understand it better, you can consult this article on selective attention: definition, examples and exercises.

There are different methods to activate the ascending reticular system to optimize and improve its operation We show them to you below:

• Play a sport or do any activity that involves physical effort.
• Respect the sleep-wake cycle. If you find it difficult to fall asleep, in this article, we tell you how to sleep quickly and deeply.
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
• Adopt the habit of reading.
• Visualize goals and/or objectives.

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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