Adenosine is an endogenous substance that regulates sleep homeostasis. It plays an important role in sleep induction under physiological condition. So far, the neural mechanisms underlying sleep-promoting effects of adenosine are not completely clear. Recent studies have shown that glutamatergic neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH) play an important role in wakefulness. Using whole-cell patch-clamp, we found that adenosine can inhibit glutamatergic neurons in PVH. This inhibition is mainly achieved by activating adenosine type 1 receptors, thereby reducing hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels. By recording electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyography (EMG), it was found that local administration of adenosine type 1 receptor blocker in PVH could significantly reduce the NREM sleep. On the contrary, if adenosine was given, it could increase the NREM sleep. These results suggest that adenosine can promote sleep by reducing the excitability of PVH neurons. This findings reveal a novel mechanism of adenosine regulating sleep homeostasis.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.907155 | DOI Listing |
PLoS Biol
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is recognized as a pivotal cortical region involved in the perception of pain. The retrosplenial cortex (RSC), located posterior to the ACC, is known to play a significant role in navigation and memory processes. Although the projections from the RSC to the ACC have been found, the specifics of the synaptic connections and the functional implications of the RSC-ACC projections remain less understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFew of the many chemicals that regulatory agencies are charged with assessing for risk have been carefully tested for developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). To speed up testing efforts, as well as to reduce the use of vertebrate animals, great effort is being devoted to alternate laboratory models for testing DNT. A major mechanism of DNT is altered neuronal architecture resulting from chemical exposure during neurodevelopment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cell Sci
January 2025
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN, USA.
Cytoplasmic dynein is essential in motoneurons for retrograde cargo transport that sustains neuronal connectivity. Little, however, is known about dynein's function on the postsynaptic side of the circuit. Here we report distinct postsynaptic roles for dynein at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndocrinology
January 2025
Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Hypothalamic kisspeptin (Kiss1) neurons are vital for maintaining fertility in the mammal. In the female rodent, Kiss1 neurons populate the anteroventral periventricular/periventricular nuclei (Kiss1AVPV/PeN) and the arcuate nucleus (Kiss1ARH). Kiss1ARH neurons (a.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChronic stress profoundly affects the structure and function of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region critical for executive functions and emotional regulation. This review synthesizes current knowledge on stress-induced PFC plasticity, encompassing structural, functional, and molecular changes. We examine how chronic stress leads to dendritic atrophy, spine loss, and alterations in neuronal connectivity within the PFC, particularly affecting the medial PFC.
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