The BuZZZ about Sleep Your Latest Buzzword is Orexin, also known as hypocretin. In 1998 two separate teams, utilizing different approaches and for entirely different reasons, reported the discovery of a new gene. One team named the gene orexin and the other named it hypocretin. Regardless of which name you choose to use, these neuropeptides are produced in the hypothalamus and control sleep/wake behavior by promoting and maintaining wakefulness and suppressing rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. They also regulate feeding behavior, energy homeostasis, reward systems, cognition, and mood. A loss of orexin neurons can result in excessive daytime sleepiness, fragmented sleep, and cataplexy. Narcolepsy is caused by the loss of these neurons. *Citations available on healthiersleepmag.com.
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