Chronic pain often leads to the development of sleep disturbances. However, the precise neural circuit mechanisms responsible for sleep disorders in chronic pain have remained largely unknown. Here, we present compelling evidence that hyperactivity of pyramidal neurons (PNs) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) drives insomnia in a mouse model of nerve-injury-induced chronic pain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGeneral anesthesia shares many similarities with natural sleep in behavior and electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns. The latest evidence suggests that general anesthesia and sleep-wake behavior may share overlapping neural substrates. The GABAergic neurons in the basal forebrain (BF) have recently been demonstrated to play a key role in controlling wakefulness.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe parabrachial nucleus (PBN) is an important structure regulating the sleep-wake behavior and general anesthesia. Astrocytes in the central nervous system modulate neuronal activity and consequential behavior. However, the specific role of the parabrachial nucleus astrocytes in regulating the sleep-wake behavior and general anesthesia remains unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDefensive behavior, a group of responses that evolved due to threatening stimuli, is crucial for animal survival in the natural environment. For defensive measures to be timely and successful, a high arousal state and immediate sleep-to-wakefulness transition are required. Recently, the glutamatergic basal forebrain (BF) has been implicated in sleep-wake regulation; however, the associated physiological functions and underlying neural circuits remain unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEmerging studies have indicated that the dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) plays a vital role in the development and metastasis of tumors. However, the role of miR‑93‑5p in esophageal carcinoma (EC) has not been extensively reported. The present study thus focused on the role of miR‑93‑5p and its downstream target in the occurrence and development of EC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuropharmacology
December 2020
Predatory hunting is an important approach for animals to obtain valuable nutrition and energy, which critically depends on heightened arousal. Yet the neural substrates underlying predatory hunting remain largely undefined. Here, we report that basal forebrain (BF) GABAergic neurons play an important role in regulating predatory hunting.
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