Articles tagged with Orexin
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a potentially new avenue for treating human narcolepsy by introducing the brain chemical orexin into genetically engineered mice. The study, which uses knockout mice that lack orexin-producing cells, finds that artificially reintroducing orexin alleviates narcoleptic symptom...
Narcolepsy is a lifelong problem characterized by sudden sleep episodes and muscle paralysis triggered by strong emotions. A new study aims to understand the role of hypocretin cells in controlling sleep and arousal, with potential breakthroughs for future treatments.
Researchers found that hypocretin neurons from the hypothalamus establish direct connections with spinal cord nerve cells involved in pain perception. This discovery may lead to new treatments for pain, particularly in spinal cord injuries.
Researchers found a dramatic reduction in hypocretin neurons in people with narcolepsy, suggesting a potential link to neurodegenerative processes or autoimmune responses. The study suggests that replacing missing hypocretin cells may reverse symptoms of the disorder, paving the way for new treatment options.