Registered Sleep Technologist Practice Exam

Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter that reaches its highest levels during wakefulness and REM sleep. This is significant because acetylcholine plays a crucial role in the regulation of arousal, attention, and the sleep-wake cycle. During REM sleep, acetylcholine facilitates brain activity that resembles wakefulness, which is reflected in the characteristic brain waves recorded during this sleep stage. This neurotransmitter is responsible for activating the cerebral cortex, which enhances vivid dreaming and other REM-related cognitive functions.

In this context, other neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin do have roles in wakefulness and sleep but do not exhibit the same peak levels during REM sleep as acetylcholine. For instance, norepinephrine and serotonin are typically diminished during REM sleep, while dopamine's primary influence is more prominent in motivation and reward pathways, not specifically tied to the distinct features of REM sleep. Thus, the prominence of acetylcholine during both wakefulness and REM sleep highlights its vital contribution to these states of consciousness.