Home ยป The area of the brain stem that plays a role in consciousness and the awake/sleep cycle is the Nervous System MCQs The area of the brain stem that plays a role in consciousness and the awake/sleep cycle is the September 22, 2022 2 Views Q. The area of the brain stem that plays a role in consciousness and the awake/sleep cycle is the: thalamusreticular activating system (RAS)pineal glandlimbic systemcerebellum Answer: pineal gland