Encyclopedia entry
Neurochemistry of Sleep
Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology, pp 485-489
2017
Abstract
The regulation of behavioral state involves complex interactions amongst wake- and sleep-promoting regions located throughout the brain. Sleep-promoting neurons are located in the brainstem and hypothalamus and contain γ-aminobutyric acid, galanin, melanin-concentrating hormone, or acetylcholine. Additionally, a variety of endogenous sleep-promoting substances, including adenosine and cytokines accumulate throughout waking periods and help to initiate sleep. Together these sleep-promoting systems regulate the activity of wake-promoting areas in the brainstem and hypothalamus. These areas contain neurons that synthesize acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, histamine, and hypocretin/orexin. The current article will summarize contemporary perspectives on the neurobiology of sleep with particular emphasis on key neurotransmitters and substances that govern this dynamic behavior and how they interact with wake-promoting systems.
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Details
- Title
- Neurochemistry of Sleep
- Creators
- R.A. España - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology, pp 485-489
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Encyclopedia entry
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Neurobiology and Anatomy
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85079565504
- Other Identifier
- 991019292228304721