title: The brain hypocretins and their receptors: mediators of allostatic arousal.
abstract: The hypocretins (abbreviated 'Hcrts' - also called 'orexins') are two neuropeptides secreted exclusively by a small population of neurons in the lateral hypothalamus. These peptides bind to two receptors located throughout the brain in nuclei associated with diverse cognitive and physiological functions. Initially, the brain Hcrt system was found to have a major role in the regulation of sleep/wake transitions. More recent studies indicate Hcrts may play a role in other physiological functions, including food intake, addiction, and stress. Taken together, these studies suggest a general role for Hcrts in mediating arousal, especially when an organism must respond to unexpected stressors and challenges in the environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 701B Welch Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States.
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schaich Borg
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Lecea
mesh_terms: D052636:Allostasis; D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D000068797:Orexins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000502:physiology*; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000502:physiology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014851:Wakefulness
chemical_list: D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D000068797:Orexins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide