Abstract
A series of discoveries spanning the last decade have uncovered a new neurotransmitter - hypocretin - and its role in energy metabolism, arousal, and addiction. Also, notably, a lack of hypocretin function has been unequivocally associated with the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Here we review these findings and discuss how they will influence future treatments of narcolepsy and other arousal and hyperarousal disorders. We introduce the concept of the hypocretin peptides and receptors and discuss the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the hypocretin system. A gain of function through pharmacolological and optogenetic means is also addressed in the following text, as is the loss of function: specifically narcolepsy in dogs, mice and humans and the challenges currently faced in treatment.
Keywords: Hypocretin, narcolepsy, neuroanatomy, arousal, feeding behavior, optogenetics
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: The Hypocretins and their Role in Narcolepsy
Volume: 8 Issue: 4
Author(s): Daniel Kroeger and Luis de Lecea
Affiliation:
Keywords: Hypocretin, narcolepsy, neuroanatomy, arousal, feeding behavior, optogenetics
Abstract: A series of discoveries spanning the last decade have uncovered a new neurotransmitter - hypocretin - and its role in energy metabolism, arousal, and addiction. Also, notably, a lack of hypocretin function has been unequivocally associated with the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Here we review these findings and discuss how they will influence future treatments of narcolepsy and other arousal and hyperarousal disorders. We introduce the concept of the hypocretin peptides and receptors and discuss the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the hypocretin system. A gain of function through pharmacolological and optogenetic means is also addressed in the following text, as is the loss of function: specifically narcolepsy in dogs, mice and humans and the challenges currently faced in treatment.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Kroeger Daniel and de Lecea Luis, The Hypocretins and their Role in Narcolepsy, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2009; 8 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152709788921645
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152709788921645 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Prediction and Prevention of Abnormal Antenatal Lung Growth
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Current Management of Traumatic Rupture of the Descending Thoracic Aorta
Current Cardiology Reviews TGF-β: Its Role in Asthma and Therapeutic Potential
Current Drug Targets Role of Genetic Factors in the Pathogenesis of Radial Deficiencies in Humans
Current Genomics Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease The Coronary Arterial Circulation
Current Cardiology Reviews Microcirculation Dysfunction: A Possible Mechanism Responsible for Reverse Redistribution in Myocardial Perfusion Imaging?
Current Medical Imaging Noncardiac Surgery: Evaluating and Minimizing Cardiac Risk
Current Cardiology Reviews Homeobox Genes and Human Genetic Disorders
Current Molecular Medicine Cardiac Workup of Ischemic Stroke
Current Cardiology Reviews 3D Printing in Modern Cardiology
Current Pharmaceutical Design Troponin in Newborns and Pediatric Patients
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Historical Aspects and Relevance of the Human Coronary Collateral Circulation
Current Cardiology Reviews Cardiovascular Imaging for Guiding Interventional Therapy in Structural Heart Diseases
Current Medical Imaging Cannabinoids and Myocardial Ischemia: Novel insights, Updated Mechanisms, and Implications for Myocardial Infarction
Current Medicinal Chemistry Advances in the Molecular Genetics of Non-syndromic Syndactyly
Current Genomics Potential for Discovery of Neuroprotective Factors in Serum and Tissue from Hibernating Species
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Odontogenic Infections in the Etiology of Infective Endocarditis
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System in Heart Failure: Imaging Technique and Clinical Implications
Current Cardiology Reviews A Developmental Approach to Drug-induced Liver Injury in Newborns and Children
Current Medicinal Chemistry Myocardial Energetics in Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Current Cardiology Reviews