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Ghrelin in mental health, sleep, memory
Axel Steiger1, Martin Dresler, Petra Schüssler
1Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany. steiger@mpipsykl.mpg.de
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|February 26, 2011
Summary
Ghrelin, a neuropeptide, influences sleep-wake cycles, promoting non-REM sleep in males but not healthy females. Its effects vary with gender, depression, and time of day.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Sleep Medicine
- Neurobiology
Background:
- Ghrelin is a peptide hormone primarily known for regulating appetite.
- Emerging evidence suggests ghrelin also plays a role in sleep-wake regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the multifaceted role of ghrelin in sleep regulation across different demographics and conditions.
- To explore ghrelin's influence on various sleep stages and its interaction with factors like gender, depression, and circadian timing.
Main Methods:
- Systemic and central administration of ghrelin in human and rodent models.
- Assessment of sleep architecture, including non-REM and REM sleep.
- Evaluation of hormonal responses (cortisol, GH, LH, FSH, thyroid hormones) and behavioral changes.
Main Results:
- Systemic ghrelin promoted non-REM sleep in male humans and mice, an effect modulated by gender, time, and depression.
- Ghrelin did not affect sleep in healthy women or during early morning in men.
- Depressed women showed diminished REM sleep after ghrelin, while elderly and depressed men retained sleep-promoting effects.
- Central ghrelin increased feeding and wakefulness in rats.
- Ghrelin influenced nocturnal secretion of cortisol, GH, LH, FSH, and thyroid hormones.
Conclusions:
- Ghrelin's impact on sleep is complex and highly context-dependent, varying significantly with sex, age, depressive status, and administration route.
- Ghrelin's influence extends beyond sleep to hormonal regulation and may be implicated in the pathophysiology of CNS disorders like depression.
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