title: Roles of the orexin system in central motor control.
abstract: The neuropeptides orexin-A and orexin-B are produced by one group of neurons located in the lateral hypothalamic/perifornical area. However, the orexins are widely released in entire brain including various central motor control structures. Especially, the loss of orexins has been demonstrated to associate with several motor deficits. Here, we first summarize the present knowledge that describes the anatomical and morphological connections between the orexin system and various central motor control structures. In the next section, the direct influence of orexins on related central motor control structures is reviewed at molecular, cellular, circuitry, and motor activity levels. After the summarization, the characteristic and functional relevance of the orexin system's direct influence on central motor control function are demonstrated and discussed. We also propose a hypothesis as to how the orexin system orchestrates central motor control in a homeostatic regulation manner. Besides, the importance of the orexin system's phasic modulation on related central motor control structures is highlighted in this regulation manner. Finally, a scheme combining the homeostatic regulation of orexin system on central motor control and its effects on other brain functions is presented to discuss the role of orexin system beyond the pure motor activity level, but at the complex behavioral level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400038, PR China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400038, PR China.
authors.forename: Nian
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400038, PR China.
authors.forename: Qi-Cheng
authors.initials: QC
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400038, PR China. Electronic address: zhianhu@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Zhi-An
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400038, PR China. Electronic address: zhangjun.cc@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D000068797:Orexins; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C000596229:HCRT protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D000068797:Orexins
keywords: Basal ganglia; Brain stem motor nuclei; Central motor control; Cerebellum; Emotion behavior; Energy homeostasis behavior; Motor activity; Motor cortex; Orexin system; Sleep/wake behavior; Spinal cord motor circuitry