Activity-dependent brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression regulates cortistatin-interneurons and sleep behavior

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sleep Science

Background:

• Sleep homeostasis links sleep duration and intensity to prior wakefulness.
• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in sleep homeostasis, but mechanisms are unclear.
• Cortistatin, a neuropeptide in cortical interneurons, also plays a role in sleep homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of activity-dependent BDNF in regulating cortistatin expression and sleep behavior.

Main Methods:

• Utilized genetically modified mice with disrupted activity-dependent BDNF expression.
• Measured cortical cortistatin mRNA levels under baseline and sleep-deprived conditions.
• Assessed sleep duration during the active phase.

Main Results:

• Sleep deprivation increased cortical cortistatin mRNA expression.
• Disrupted BDNF impaired baseline and post-sleep deprivation cortistatin mRNA levels.
• Disrupted BDNF reduced sleep time during the active phase.

Conclusions:

• Activity-dependent BDNF expression appears to regulate cortistatin-expressing interneurons.
• This regulation by BDNF may contribute to the control of sleep behavior.