Knockdown of orexin type 1 receptor in rat locus coeruleus increases REM sleep during the dark period.

ABSTRACT: The locus coeruleus (LC) regulates sleep/wakefulness and is densely innervated by orexinergic neurons in the lateral hypothalamus. Here we used small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to test the role of LC orexin type 1 receptor (OxR1) in sleep–wake control. In sleep studies, bilateral OxR1 siRNA injections led to an increase of time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which was selective for the dark (active) period, peaked at approximately 30% of control during the second dark period after injection and then disappeared after 4 days. Cataplexy-like episodes were not observed. The percentage time spent in wakefulness and non-REM (NREM) sleep and the power spectral profile of NREM and REM sleep were unaffected. Control animals, injected with scrambled siRNA, had no sleep changes after inject

SUBMITTER: Chen L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3058252 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature