Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 25, 2026
08:58
Optogenetic Manipulation of Neural Circuits During Monitoring Sleep/wakefulness States in Mice
Published on: June 19, 2019
10.6K
Neurobiological Basis of Hypersomnia
1International Institute of Integrative Sleep Medicine, Tsukuba University, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
Sleep Medicine Clinics
|August 6, 2017
Summary
Narcolepsy, a sleep disorder, stems from hypocretin neuron loss. High doses of suvorexant, a hypocretin receptor antagonist, can trigger narcolepsy-like symptoms in mice, highlighting drug-induced hypersomnia risks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Narcolepsy is a well-characterized hypersomnia linked to hypocretin-producing neuron degeneration in the hypothalamus.
- Hypocretin receptor antagonists are developed as sleep-inducing drugs.
- Prostaglandin D2 is a potent endogenous sleep-promoting substance implicated in various hypersomnia conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of suvorexant, a hypocretin receptor antagonist, on gene expression and narcoleptic attack induction in wild-type mice.
- To explore the role of prostaglandin D2 in hypersomnia.
- To examine potential links between commercialized sleep-promoting supplements and human hypersomnia.
Main Methods:
- Administration of high-dose suvorexant to wild-type mice.
- Monitoring for narcoleptic attack induction.
- Review of literature on prostaglandin D2 and hypersomnia.
- Analysis of commercialized sleep-promoting supplements.
Main Results:
- High-dose suvorexant inhibited prepro-hypocretin gene expression, inducing narcoleptic attacks in wild-type mice.
- Overproduction of prostaglandin D2 is associated with hypersomnia in specific patient populations and in a mouse seizure model.
- Commercial sleep-promoting supplements may contribute to hypersomnia in humans.
Conclusions:
- Suvorexant's high dosage can pharmacologically induce narcolepsy-like symptoms by affecting hypocretin pathways.
- Prostaglandin D2 dysregulation is a significant factor in certain hypersomnia conditions.
- Caution is advised regarding the use of sleep-promoting supplements due to potential hypersomnia induction.
Keywords:
AdenosineCytokinesGene-knockout miceHypocretinNarcolepsyProstaglandin D2Sleep-promoting supplementSuvorexantMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Sleep-Wake Cycles
3.1K
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
3.1K
01:07Narcolepsy
622
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
622
01:19Management of Insomnia
732
The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
732
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
471
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
471
01:11Understanding Sleep
1.7K
Sleep, an essential biological state, involves significant reductions in physical activity, sensory awareness, and interaction with the environment. This complex physiological process is primarily regulated by specific brain regions, notably the hypothalamus and pons, which govern the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
1.7K
02:19Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
4.6K
The biological clock is involved in many aspects of regulating complex physiology in all animals. It was in 1935 when German zoologists, Hans Kalmus and Erwin Bünning, discovered the existence of circadian rhythm in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the internal molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock remained a mystery until 1984, when Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young discovered the expression of the Per gene oscillating over a 24-hour cycle. In subsequent...
4.6K