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Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury on the Orexin/Hypocretin System

Rebecca T Somach1, Miranda M Lim2,3, Akiva S Cohen4,5

  • 1CHOP At Penn Medicine Hospital of The University Pennsylvania, USA.

Neurotrauma Reports
|May 1, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) disrupt the orexin system, impacting wakefulness and sleep. This review details how TBIs alter orexin neurons, receptors, and considers sex differences in research.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Traumatology

Background:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) frequently lead to sleep disturbances.
  • The orexin/hypocretin system is crucial for maintaining wakefulness and arousal.
  • Dysfunction in the orexin system is linked to excessive sleepiness and narcolepsy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of TBIs on the orexin/hypocretin system.
  • To consolidate findings on structural and functional neuronal changes post-TBI.
  • To examine the role of orexin receptors and sex differences in TBI-related sleep disruption.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating TBI and the orexin system.
  • Analysis of research including human and animal models.
  • Inclusion of studies examining orexin receptors and sex-based responses.

Main Results:

  • TBIs induce structural and functional alterations in orexin neurons.
  • TBI affects orexin/hypocretin receptor expression and function.
  • Inconsistencies in accounting for sex in TBI and orexin research were noted.

Conclusions:

  • The orexin/hypocretin system is a significant target for understanding TBI-induced sleep disruptions.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the role of orexin receptors and sex differences.
  • Targeting the orexin system may offer therapeutic strategies for TBI recovery.
Keywords:
hypocretinorexinsleep disruptiontraumatic brain injury

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