Orexin involved in inflammation-induced lethargy
Orexin is one of the many brain chemicals that are involved in the control of sleep and wakefulness. For example, reduced levels or activity of the orexin system is involved in narcolepsy a sleep disorder that is characterised by uncontrollable sleep. It has now been found that the lethargy associated with illness is also mediated by orexin.
J Neurosci. 2011 Aug 3;31(31):11376-86.
Inflammation-induced lethargy is mediated by suppression of orexin neuron activity.
Grossberg AJ, Zhu X, Leinninger GM, Levasseur PR, Braun TP, Myers MG Jr, Marks DL.
