The Orexin/Hypocretin System: Physiology and Pathophysiology (Contemporary Clinical Neuroscience)

Impairment of orexin/hypocretin signaling causes narcolepsy-cataplexy in animals and humans. Most human narcolepsy-cataplexy cases are associated with orexin/hypocretin ligand deficiency, which can be detected clinically using cerebrospinal orexin/hypocretin measures and may lead to future treatments with orexin/hypocretin replacement therapy. In The Orexin/Hypocretin System: Physiology and Pathophysiology, leading researchers and clinicians review these exciting developments to set the stage for further research on the loss of orexin/hypocretin neurons in humans, regulation of sleep and wakefulness by the orexin/hypocretin system, and the role of the orexin/hypocretin system in many other physiological processes, including feeding, autonomic regulation, and neuroendocrine regulation. Topics of interest include an assessment of the functions and the physiology of orexin/hypocretin, its pathophysiology in human narcolepsy-cataplexy, and possible pharmacological treatments. The authors also introduce several experimental methods for orexin/hypocretin research, and, using multidisciplinary approaches, explain their uses and limitations. Authoritative and state-of-the-art, The Orexin/Hypocretin System: Physiology and Pathophysiology will aid scientists in the search for novel bioactive peptides and their receptors, as well as novel physiological insights and opportunities for the clinical treatment of not only narcolepsy, but also a broad range of diseases associated with endocrine, feeding, and body weight regulation. In The Orexin/hypocretin System: Physiology And Pathophysiology, Leading Researchers And Clinicians Set The Stage For Further Research On The Loss Of Orexin/hypocretin Neurons In Humans, Regulation Of Sleep And Wakefulness By The Orexin/hypocretin System, And The Role Of The Orexin/hypocretin System In Many Other Physiological Processes, Including Feeding, Autonomic Regulation, And Neuroendocrine Regulation. Topics Of Interest Include An Assessment Of The Functions And The Physiology Of Orexin/hypocretin, Its Pathophysiology In Human Narcolepsy-cataplexy, And Possible Pharmacological Treatments. The Authors Also Introduce Several Experimental Methods For Orexin/hypocretin Research, And, Using Multidisciplinary Approaches, Explain Their Uses And Limitations. Authoritative And State-of-the-art, The Orexin/hypocretin System: Physiology And Pathophysiology Will Aid Scientists In The Search For Novel Bioactive Peptides And Their Receptors, As Well As Novel Physiological Insights And Opportunities For The Clinical Treatment Of Not Only Narcolepsy, But Also A Broad Range Of Diseases Associated With Endocrine, Feeding And Body Weight Regulation.--jacket. 1. History And Overview Of Orexin/hypocretin Research : From Orphan Gpcr To Integrative Physiology / Michihiro Mieda And Takeshi Sakurai -- 2. Orexin And Orexin Receptors / Takeshi Sakurai -- 3. Orexin Projections And Localization Of Orexin Receptors / Jacob N. Marcus And Joel K. Elmquist -- 4. Neuronal Responses To Hypocretin/orexin / Anthony N. Van Den Pol And Claudio Acuna-goycolea -- 5. Afferent System Of Orexin Neurons / Akihiro Yamanaka -- 6. Hypocretin Measurements In The Csf, And Blood And Brain Tissue : Basic And Clinical Applications / Seiji Nishino -- 7. Hypocretin Receptor-activated G Proteins Revealed By [[superscript 35]s]gtp[gamma]s Autoradiography / Rene Bernard, Ralph Lydic And Helen A. Baghdoyan. Edited By Seiji Nishino And Takeshi Sakurai. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Mode Of Access: World Wide Web. This cutting-edge review of the orexin/hypocretin system sets the stage for advanced research on the pathological mechanisms underlying the loss of orexin/hypocretin neurons in humans, regulation of sleep and wakefulness by the orexin/hypocretin system, and the role of the orexin/hypocretin system in many other physiological processes, including feeding, autonomic regulation, and neuroendocrine regulation. Topics of interest include assessment of functions and the physiology of orexin/hypocretin, its pathophysiology in human narcolepsy-cataplexy, and possible treatments and pharmacology. The authors also introduce several experimental methods for orexin/hypocretin research, and, using multidisciplinary approaches, explain their uses and limitations. The Orexin/Hypocretin System provides an overview of all the recent exciting discoveries in the field as well as new findings such as ligand replacement and gene therapies in the animal models of narcolepsy. Several contributions cover sleep and the multiple systems involved in its regulation.