title: Connectomics of orexin-producing neurons: interface of systems of emotion, energy homeostasis and arousal.
abstract: Avoiding danger and finding food, which are life-sustaining activities that are regulated by emotion, reward and energy balance, require proper wakefulness. The orexin system controls sleep and wakefulness through interactions with systems that regulate emotion, reward and energy homeostasis. Recent findings have brought about the possibility of novel therapies targeting the orexin system for sleep disorders, including insomnia and narcolepsy-cataplexy, as well as other pathological conditions such as obesity and drug addiction [1]. In this review, we will discuss the current understanding of the integrative physiology and clinical perspectives of the orexin system. We will briefly review signaling through orexin A and B receptors and discuss the role of orexins in the pathophysiology of narcolepsy. We will also examine connections between orexin neurons and other brain areas involved in feeding behavior, reward and emotion. Finally, we will consider the therapeutic potential of drugs that target orexin receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Neuroscience and Integrative Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan. tsakurai@med.kanazawa-u.ac.jp).
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: Michihiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mieda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004285:Dogs; D004644:Emotions; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D000068797:Orexins; D051381:Rats; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D012201:Reward; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C000596229:HCRT protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D000068797:Orexins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide