A brief history of hypocretin/orexin and narcolepsy

Citation
Jm. Siegel et al., A brief history of hypocretin/orexin and narcolepsy, NEUROPSYCH, 25, 2001, pp. S14-S20
Citations number
54
Categorie Soggetti
Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
ISSN journal
0893133X → ACNP
Volume
25
Year of publication
2001
Supplement
5
Pages
S14 - S20
Database
ISI
SICI code
0893-133X(200111)25:<S14:ABHOHA>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
The hypothalmic peptides named the orexins, or hypocretins, were discovered in 1998. In 1999 it was established that genetic narcolepsy could be cause d by mutations in the genes synthesizing these peptides or their receptors. In September of 2000 it was found that most human narcolepsy is caused by loss of hypocretin cells, most likely as a result of a degenerative process . This paper reviews these events and their implications for our understand ing of brain arousal and motor control systems. (C) 2001 American College o f Neuropsychopharmacology. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.