Hypocretins, sleep, and maternal behavior

Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience

Neuroscience

Luciana Benedetto¹  Pablo Torterolo¹  Mayda Rivas¹  Annabel Ferreira² 

[1] Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay;Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay;

关键词: hypocretin (orexin);    neuropeptide;    hypothalamus;    medial preoptic area (mPOA);    wakefulness;    sleep;    maternal behavior;    lactation;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1184885

 received in 2023-03-12, accepted in 2023-06-15,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

The postpartum period is a demanding time during which mothers experience numerous physiological adaptations that enable them to care for their offspring while maintaining their wellbeing. Hypocretins, also known as orexins, are neuropeptides synthesized by hypothalamic neurons that play a fundamental role in several functions, including the promotion of wakefulness and motivated behaviors, such as maternal care. In this regard, several findings suggest that the activity of the hypocretinergic system increases in the early postpartum period and begins to decline as weaning approaches. In particular, hypocretins within the medial preoptic area, a crucial region during this period, modulate both maternal behavior and sleep. Although further studies are necessary to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the role of hypocretins in lactating females, current research suggests that this system participates in promoting active components of maternal behavior and regulating wakefulness and sleep adjustments during the postpartum period, potentially leading to increased wakefulness during this stage. These adaptive adjustments enable the mother to cope with the continuously changing demands of the pups.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Rivas, Ferreira, Torterolo and Benedetto.