Top > Research results > Discovered by Nagoya University, a new nerve cell that regulates non-rem sleep

2019/6/9

Discovered by Nagoya University, a new nerve cell that regulates non-rem sleep

University Journal Online Editorial Department

　In collaboration with Niigata University and Okayama University, a research group led by Professor Akihiro Yamanaka of Nagoya University discovered that a nerve called "GABAergic nerve" regulates non-rem sleep.

　So far, much has been unknown about the nervous system involved in sleep and wakefulness.Since the ventral tegmental area of ​​the midbrain contains dopaminergic nerves involved in pleasure and its rewarding behavior, studies on pleasure and rewarding behavior have been conducted.Many GABAergic nerves are also present in the ventral tegmental area, but their role has not been sufficiently studied.

　The research group focused on the GABAergic nerve (VTA-GABA) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA).First, gene expression is induced only in GABAergic nerves by genetically modified mice.Subsequent application of chemogenomics (a genetic technique that controls neural activity with chemicals) to activate VTA-GABA nerves increased non-rem sleep time in mice.On the other hand, when optogenetics (genetics using light-activated proteins) was applied to suppress VTA-GABA nerves, the patient immediately awakened from non-rem sleep.

　Furthermore, a protein that can change the fluorescence intensity was specifically expressed in the VTA-GABA nerve.According to "fiber photometry" that measures nerve activity with light, it was found that VTA-GABA nerve activity increases during non-REM sleep.We also investigated the relationship between the VTA-GABA nerve and the orexin nerve (a nerve that produces the protein orexin involved in arousal maintenance and sleep control), which is also located in the hypothalamus.As a result, the VTA-GABA nerve projected directly onto the orexin nerve to suppress its activity and induce non-rem sleep.

　Many sleep-inducing drugs cause drug addiction when taken for a long time. VTA-GABA nerves are expected to be functionally linked to dopaminergic nerves related to dependence and reward.It is expected that the results of this research will lead to the elucidation of the mechanism of dependence formation in the future.

Paper information:[ELife] GABA neurons in the ventral tegmental area regulate non-rapid eyemovement sleep in mice

Nagoya University

Aiming to be a person who has true courage and intellect and can open up the future

Nagoya University is a comprehensive university with 9 faculties, 13 graduate schools, 3 affiliated research institutes, nationwide joint usage, and 5 joint research centers.Through creative research activities, he explores the truth and produces some of the best intellectual achievements in the world.Foster courageous intellectuals with abundant logical thinking and imagination through educational practices that emphasize spontaneity […]

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Okayama University

Promote the creation of an environment and system that can fly as a practitioner who can play an active role globally

A national university with 150 faculties, 10 graduate schools, and 7 research institutes, which is about 4 years old.Based on the results of advanced research activities, we can cultivate the ability of students to participate in "creation of knowledge" independently, and foster a rich humanity through close dialogues and discussions between students and faculty members. In a wide range of fields both domestically and internationally […]

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Niigata University

Hone your imagination and creativity and learn true strength at the "base of knowledge" that contributes to the development of the region and the world.

Niigata University is one of the largest comprehensive universities in Japan with 10 faculties.We are developing two distinctive major programs based on the university-wide philosophy of "independence and creation."Through diverse learning and research opportunities, you can hone your imagination and creativity with your peers, and grow into a confident and compassionate person.It's tough […]

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