Connectomics of orexin-producing neurons: interface of systems of emotion, energy homeostasis and arousal.

Abstract	Avoiding danger and finding food, which are life-sustaining activities that are regulated by emotion, reward and energy balance, require proper wakefulness. The orexin system controls sleep and wakefulness through interactions with systems that regulate emotion, reward and energy homeostasis. Recent findings have brought about the possibility of novel therapies targeting the orexin system for sleep disorders, including insomnia and narcolepsy-cataplexy, as well as other pathological conditions such as obesity and drug addiction [1]. In this review, we will discuss the current understanding of the integrative physiology and clinical perspectives of the orexin system. We will briefly review signaling through orexin A and B receptors and discuss the role of orexins in the pathophysiology of narcolepsy. We will also examine connections between orexin neurons and other brain areas involved in feeding behavior, reward and emotion. Finally, we will consider the therapeutic potential of drugs that target orexin receptors.
Authors	Takeshi Sakurai, Michihiro Mieda
Journal	Trends in pharmacological sciences (Trends Pharmacol Sci) Vol. 32 Issue 8 Pg. 451-62 (Aug 2011) ISSN: 1873-3735 [Electronic] England
PMID	21565412 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
Copyright	Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Chemical References	HCRT protein, human Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins Neuropeptides Orexin Receptors Orexins Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled Receptors, Neuropeptide
Topics	Animals Brain (cytology, physiology) Brain Mapping Dogs Emotions Energy Metabolism (physiology) Feeding Behavior (physiology) Homeostasis (physiology) Humans Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (chemistry, metabolism) Mice Models, Neurological Narcolepsy (physiopathology) Neurons (metabolism) Neuropeptides (chemistry, metabolism) Orexin Receptors Orexins Rats Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism) Receptors, Neuropeptide (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism) Reward Signal Transduction (physiology) Sleep Wake Disorders Wakefulness (physiology)

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