What Is the Reticular Formation?
The reticular formation is a comprehensive network of nerves that is found in the central area of the brainstem. The functions of the formation involve many of the essential functions of the body, such as the ability to obtain recuperative sleep, sexual arousal, and the ability to focus on tasks without being easily distracted. All in all, reticular formation function is believed by some researchers to be involved with at least twenty-five behaviors and functions that are considered essential for the health and continued existence of each individual.
Situated between the top of the brain stem and the bottom area of the mid-brain, the reticular formation is found close to the fourth ventricle and the cerebral aqueduct. One of the more important tasks of the formation is regulating the functions of the autonomic nervous system. This means that the function of reticular formation is directly involved with what are commonly referred to as unconscious functions. The formation helps to automatically regulate the beating of the heart, breathing and respiration functions, and the process of digesting food in the gastrointestinal tract. As such, the midbrain reticular formation also is key to the process of elimination, and helps to regulate the processes of urination and defecation.
The development of lesions in the brain stem and the paramedian reticular formation can have a drastic impact on the way the formation regulates various systems throughout the body. Since the formation is involved in maintaining consciousness, damage to the brain stem and the midbrain are likely to inhibit the ability of the reticular formation to control wakefulness as well as a sleep pattern. This can lead to situations where the individual loses consciousness altogether, sinking into a comatose state. Lesions may also impair the formation in a manner that the ability to concentrate is inhibited, as well as negatively impact sexual arousal, sleep patterns, and cause a constant feeling of fatigue. In the most severe of cases, death results from this damage to the brain stem and the reticular formation.
At present, the ability to effectively repair damage to the reticular formation is very limited. While a few surgical procedures exist, there is a high chance for failure. In some cases, the procedures are not able to accomplish much more than a partial recovery. However, there are those who claim to have suffered damage to the brain stem and reticular formation and later recovered on their own. Those reports remain anecdotal and are not widely accepted by the medical community.
Written by Malcolm Tatum
