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The hypocretins and their role in narcolepsy
Daniel Kroeger1, Luis de Lecea
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304-5742, USA.
CNS & Neurological Disorders Drug Targets
|August 20, 2009
Summary
Discover the new neurotransmitter hypocretin and its vital roles in arousal, metabolism, and addiction. This review highlights hypocretin
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroendocrinology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Recent discoveries have identified hypocretin, a novel neurotransmitter.
- Hypocretin plays a critical role in regulating energy metabolism, arousal, and addiction.
- Dysfunction of the hypocretin system is strongly linked to narcolepsy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the latest findings on hypocretin.
- To discuss the implications of hypocretin research for treating narcolepsy and other arousal disorders.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on hypocretin.
- Discussion of hypocretin peptides, receptors, neuroanatomy, and neurophysiology.
- Examination of gain-of-function (pharmacological, optogenetic) and loss-of-function studies.
Main Results:
- The hypocretin system's involvement in arousal and energy balance is established.
- Loss of hypocretin function is definitively associated with narcolepsy across species.
- Current treatment challenges for hypocretin-related disorders are identified.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the hypocretin system offers new therapeutic avenues for narcolepsy.
- Future treatments may target hypocretin pathways for arousal and hyperarousal disorders.
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