The Role of Cerebral Activation in the Sleep–Waking Cycle

The development of views on cerebral activation in the sleep–waking cycle, starting with the work of Constantin von Economo, is examined. We focus on the cyclic activation of high-amplitude discharges during sleep, which, with certain reservations, can include K-complexes and patterns of δ-like waves. Given the involvement of the peripheral nervous system in this process, the integrative role of cyclic activation of high-amplitude discharges in the organization of the sleep–waking cycle is discussed.