The hypocretin/orexin story

Newly described peptides, produced in neurons in the lateral hypothalamic a rea, have been shown to stimulate appetite and stereotypic behaviors associ ated with feeding. Discovered independently by two groups, the hypocretions /orexin stimulate autonomic function and have been shown to be physiologica l regulators of the arousal state. Neuroendocrine and metabolic effects of these peptides, some related to sleep-wakefulness and arousal state, are ju st now being discovered.