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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Optogenetic Manipulation of Neural Circuits During Monitoring Sleep/wakefulness States in Mice
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Lateral hypothalamic neuronal ensembles regulate pre-sleep nest-building behavior.

Maria I Sotelo1, Jean Tyan1, Chelsea Markunas1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|January 20, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Mice build nests and groom before sleep, behaviors that promote sleep initiation and consolidation. Specific neurons in the lateral hypothalamus regulate these pre-sleep actions and control sleep intensity.

Keywords:
TRAPchemogeneticsgroominglateral hypothalamusnest-buildingnestingneuronal ensemblespre-sleepsleepwakefulness

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Science
  • Behavioral Biology

Background:

  • The transition from wakefulness to sleep involves complex brain and behavioral changes.
  • Pre-sleep behaviors, such as nest building, are thought to facilitate sleep onset but lack causal evidence and mechanistic understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying pre-sleep behaviors and their role in sleep initiation.
  • To identify neuronal circuits that regulate goal-directed behaviors preceding sleep.

Main Methods:

  • Detailed behavioral observations and electroencephalogram-electromyogram (EEG-EMG) recordings in mice.
  • Selective targeting and activity modulation of pre-sleep-active neurons.
  • Assessment of sleep initiation, consolidation, and fragmentation under varying conditions.

Main Results:

  • Mice exhibit temporally structured pre-sleep behaviors, with nest-building and grooming increasing near sleep onset.
  • Nest-building activity promotes sleep initiation and consolidation, while its absence leads to chronic sleep fragmentation.
  • Lateral hypothalamus neurons, primarily glutamatergic, were identified as regulators of nest-building motivation and sleep gating.

Conclusions:

  • Pre-sleep behaviors causally facilitate sleep initiation and consolidation.
  • Specific neuronal ensembles in the lateral hypothalamus play a critical role in regulating pre-sleep behaviors and sleep intensity.
  • This study elucidates the neurobiological underpinnings of a complex, goal-directed behavior that promotes sleep.