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Optogenetic Control of Hypocretin (Orexin) Neurons and Arousal Circuits

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Sleep, Neuronal Plasticity and Brain Function

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 25))

Abstract

In 1998, our group discovered a cDNA that encoded the precursor of two putative neuropeptides that we called hypocretins for their hypothalamic expression and their similarity to the secretin family of neuropeptides. In the last 16 years, numerous studies have placed the hypocretin system as an integrator of homeostatic functions with a crucial, non-redundant function as arousal stabilizer. We recently applied optogenetic methods to interrogate the role of individual neuronal circuits in sleep-to-wake transitions. The neuronal connections between the hypocretin system and the locus coeruleus (LC) seem to be crucial in establishing the appropriate dynamic of spontaneous awakenings.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1201 Welch Rd, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Luis de Lecea

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  1. Luis de Lecea
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Correspondence to Luis de Lecea .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Behavior and Neurosciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Peter Meerlo

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    Ruth M. Benca

  3. Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Ted Abel

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de Lecea, L. (2014). Optogenetic Control of Hypocretin (Orexin) Neurons and Arousal Circuits. In: Meerlo, P., Benca, R., Abel, T. (eds) Sleep, Neuronal Plasticity and Brain Function. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 25. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2014_364

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