Orexin and sleep-wake regulation / 国际药学研究杂志

ABSTRACT

Orexins consisting of isoforms A and B are neuropeptides produced in lateral hypothalamic neurons. Orexin neurons send excitatory projections across the whole central nervous system except cerebellum, with particularly dense projections to monoaminergic and cholinergic neurons in the hypothalamus and brain stem. Orexins regulate sleep and wakefulness through two G protein-coupled receptors, namely Orexin 1 receptor and Orexin 2 receptor. Dysfunction in Orexin neurotransmission results in nar-coleptic phenotype in humans and animals. This review summarizes the modulation of Orexin system on sleep-wake states and the pharmacological potential of targeting Orexin receptors in treating sleep disorders.