The reticular formation is a region of the brainstem that is involved in many bodily functions, including the regulation of sleep, wakefulness, attention, movement, posture, breathing, and heart rate.
Structures and functions
The reticular formation is divided into three main parts: the ascending part, the descending part and the intrinsic part.
- The ascending part of the reticular formation is responsible for regulating arousal and attention. Neurons in this region send signals to parts of the brain such as the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus, which are involved in regulating alertness and attention.
- The descending part of the reticular formation is responsible for regulating movements and posture. Neurons in this region send signals to motor neurons in the spinal cord, which control body movement and posture.
- The intrinsic part of the reticular formation is responsible for regulating respiration, heart rate and blood pressure. This region of the brain sends signals to the cardiovascular and respiratory regulation centers located in the brainstem.
Role in sleep
The reticular formation also plays an essential role in the regulation of sleep. Neurons in this region send signals to parts of the brain such as the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus, which are involved in regulating alertness and wakefulness.
During REM sleep, the ascending part of the reticular formation is particularly active, while the descending part is inhibited. This activation of the ascending part is associated with dreams and rapid eye movements (REM).
Reticulated training and auriculotherapy
From a naturopathic point of view, we use the Nogier frequencies with auriculotherapy to interact with this part of the brain.
This essentially works with the reticulated formation. The ear serving as an interface for this purpose and the laser with the appropriate frequencies allows a gentle and safe intervention to address a multitude of health problems.
Conclusion
In summary, the reticular formation is a region of the brainstem that is essential in the regulation of many bodily functions, including the regulation of sleep, wakefulness, attention, movement, posture, breathing and heart rate. The different parts of the reticular formation have specific and interconnected functions, and lesions can lead to clinical disorders. Treatments such as deep brain stimulation may be used to treat some of these disorders. The reticulate formation continues to be studied by researchers to better understand its role in brain function and its impact on health.
Learn more
- The reticular formation: anatomy, functions in pain control – ScienceDirect
- Reticulated formation - Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- See also my article on auriculotherapy: Auriculotherapy (Paul Nogier approach)