narcolepsy/potassium

Study objectives: Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by loss of hypocretin-producing neurons. Increased NT1 incidence was observed in Sweden following mass-vaccination with Pandemrix^®. Genetic association to HLA DQB1*06:02 implies an autoimmune

The ability of neuroglia to buffer local increases of extracellular K(+) has been known from in vitro studies. This property may confer on these cells an active role in the modulation and spreading of cortical oscillatory activities. We addressed the question of the spatial buffering in vivo by

The histaminergic tuberomamillary nucleus (TMN) controls arousal and attention, and the firing of TMN neurons is state-dependent, active during waking, silent during sleep. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) promotes arousal and combats sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. Single-cell

Modafinil is a well-known psychoactive drug used to treat narcolepsy, hypoglycemia, cerebral ischemia and Parkinson's disease. Previous studies showed that ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP)) play a key role in response to cerebral ischemia, hypoglycemia or metabolic inhibition. Modafinil

Orexins (hypocretins) are peptides of hypothalamic origin that play an important role in maintaining wakefulness. Reduced orexin levels have been associated with an increased incidence of narcolepsy. Considering thalamic nuclei are interconnected with virtually all neocortical regions and the

The hypocretin-orexin (hcrt-orx) neurons are thought to maintain wakefulness because their loss results in narcolepsy. This role may be fulfilled by the excitatory action that the hcrt-orx peptide exerts on multiple brainstem and forebrain systems that, in turn, promote cortical activation. Here, we

A number of autoantibodies, some paraneoplastic, are associated with sleep disorders. Morvan syndrome and limbic encephalitis, associated with voltage-gated potassium channel-complex antibodies, principally against CASPR2 and LGI1, can result in profound insomnia and rapid eye movement sleep

Hypocretins (Hcrts), or orexins, are a recently described set of hypothalamic peptides that have been implicated in feeding, neuroendocrine regulation, sleep-wakefulness, and disorders of sleep, such as narcolepsy. Hcrt-containing neurons, which are located exclusively in the lateral hypothalamic

The psychostimulant amphetamine can be prescribed to ameliorate the symptoms of narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and to facilitate weight loss. This stimulant can also have negative effects including toxicity and addiction risk. The impact of amphetamine on gene networks is

As is evident from the pathological consequences of its absence in narcolepsy, orexin (hypocretin) appears to be critical for the maintenance of wakefulness. Via diffuse projections through the brain, orexin-containing neurons in the hypothalamus may act on a number of wake-promoting systems. Among