ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
11.10.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Neurotransmitter Reverses Sleep Deprivation

Author: Pedro Martinez Author Ranking Bronze | Posted: 26-01-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 12 | Rating:  (55) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Related Videos
How to Prevent Insomnia

Imagine never tossing and turning beneath the sheets! Here, some tips to...

Natural Remedies for Insomnia

If counting sheep isn?t doing it for you anymore, try these gentle,...

Travel Bytes New York - Where to Sleep

The Big Apple offers so many places to stay and in New...

Sign Up Now!

Administration of orexin-A, a naturally occurring brain neurotransmitter, counteracts the intellectual deficits and altered brain metabolism induced by sleep deprivation in monkeys, new research findings show. Orexin-A was tested because of its know specific brain activity in controlling sleep processes in mammals, lead author Dr. Sam A. Deadwyler told Reuters Health.

Orexin-A is released by neurons in the brain, the scientists explain in the Journal of Neuroscience, and orexin-A receptors are located on neurons in many brain regions affected by sleep and sleep deprivation. Deadwyler, a neurobiologist at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and his team worked with eight monkeys trained to perform an intellectual task to test short-term memory.

The effect of orexin-A on the animals' performance was analyzed after a normal 12-hour sleep cycle and after being kept awake for 30 to 36 continuous hours. Brain metabolism was evaluated by F18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET scanning.

When the monkeys were alert, orexin-A did not improve test performance. In fact, at the highest concentration of orexin-A, intellectual functioning worsened. However, when the monkeys were deprived of sleep, a low- or high-dose of orexin-A significantly improved the animals' test performance.

It was even more potent when it was administered through the nose. Cognitive performance was restored to normal alert levels, and nasal orexin-A improved performance on more difficult tests.
During sleep deprivation, glucose metabolism in various portions of the brain was reduced, while a compensatory increase was observed in another portion.

Similar to the effects seen on intellectual function, orexin-A reversed these changes and nasal administration achieved a greater effect. These study findings provide "strong evidence" that nasal administration of orexin-A can correct the intellectual deficits caused by sleep deprivation, the scientists conclude.

However, before this agent can be offered to long-haul truckers or military personnel, for whom sleep is often limited, the effect of orexin-like agents on other brain processes that are not related to loss of sleep need to be evaluated, Deadwyler said. "Our study did show minor impairment of normal performance with relatively high systemic doses of orexin."

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/neurotransmitter-reverses-sleep-deprivation-316098.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:

Alvaro Castillo has been writing reports for 10 years on healthy sleep habits and stress with positive results. For more information check out his website at http://www.mynighttimehealth.com

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Allergy Shots
By: OrKuperman | 22-08-2008
Hi!   I want to get some info about allergy shots,if it's really worth it and where I can get one of these in the U.S...   Waiting for your answers ;)

Couseling for Stress
By: Bernie | 22-08-2008
Where do I find free counseling in Waipahu, HI for stress related matters? 

What are the factors causing registered filipino ...
By: noveighteen | 22-08-2008
what are the factors causing registered filipino nurses to work as call center agents?

Need a Short Term Disability doctor
By: bsym38 | 21-08-2008
I desperately need a good short term disability doctor in Tampa.  I am going through a terrible time in my life mentally and do not have a family physician.  The doctor I was sent to is not helping me and does not want to be bothered with the paperwork. 

Ramada Gulfcoast
By: AlanSmith | 20-08-2008
Ramada Gulfcoast hotels?

Does honey and lemon and hot water help you to ...
By: Sarah | 20-08-2008
Does honey and lemon and hot water help you to lose weight? If you drink it once in the morning?

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Health Articles

Muscle Building - Weight Training
By: Chris Jensen | 11/10/2008
Weight training refers to exercises that build the size and strength of skeletal muscle. Weight training uses the force of gravity to resist the contraction of muscles.

Knee Pain Relief : Patellar Subluxation - a Knee Brace Can Help
By: Daniel Sims | 11/10/2008
If you have patellar subluxations this can be very painful, and can cause you great concern. If you would like to treat this issue, the information here can help guide you.

Conventional and Unconventional Cancer Treatments - Part One
By: Stephen Lau | 11/10/2008
There is an array of cancer treatment options - conventional and unconventional. Conventional cancer treatments include cancer surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. They all have undesirable side effects, ranging from damage to heart muscles, leukemia, to predisposition to second cancer. The multi-dollar cancer industry does not encourage or promote unconventional cancer treatments.

Medi-Spa Treatments to Pamper Yourself
By: Abigail Aaronson | 11/10/2008
Medical spas or medi spas are no just longer a luxury for wealthy socialites. With many affordable treatments to help you de-stress and rejuvenate your skin, medi spa treatments are becoming a popular choice for those who love to pamper themselves.

You Need To take Action To Deal With Panic Disorders
By: MIKE SELVON | 10/10/2008
Those who suffer from panic disorders are most often terrified about the possibility of triggering their next panic attack.

The Whole Body Detox - Refresh Your Mind, Body and Spirit
By: John Khu | 10/10/2008
When doing a whole body detox many people forget that the spirit is also an important part of the body and the detoxification process. Negative thought processes build stress; stress in turn creates a negative impact on the body's ability to function ultimately leading to an increase in toxins within the body.

Destination: Relaxation - Making the Most of a Destination Spa Experience
By: Mariet Smart | 10/10/2008
A trip to a destination spa should be a relaxing, rejuvenating experience, but for those unsure of spa etiquette, it may anything but relaxing. Following are some tips from Spa Finder to make the most of a destination spa experience: Visiting a destination spa is joining others of like mind who...

What Does It Mean To Live A Healthy Lifestyle?
By: MIKE SELVON | 10/10/2008
For most people, trying to balance an active lifestyle with a healthful lifestyle may seem impossible.

More from Pedro Martinez

SEO Fundamentals for Beginners in Online Home Business
By: Pedro Martinez | 18/02/2008 | Home Business
The popular question of how to find a real wholesale distributor keeps coming up again.

Home Based Business Asset Management
By: Pedro Martinez | 18/02/2008 | Home Business
Home based business assets are the things that keeps the business going so all businessmen should realize that asset management is an important part of managing a dynamic and profitable home based business.

Advertising your Home Business on a Budget
By: Pedro Martinez | 18/02/2008 | Home Business
When you are starting out in a new home business and no one knows who you are, one of the greatest challenges you will face is how to drum up new business

Three Things Never to Do in a Home Based Business
By: Pedro Martinez | 14/02/2008 | Home Business
There are some things you should never do in a home based business if you want to succeed. If you are already in a successful home based business, you are well aware of this. If you are a new home based business entrepreneur than these three tips may be very helpful to you.

The Secret Science of Getting Rich Through Entrepreneurship
By: Pedro Martinez | 14/02/2008 | Home Business
Everywhere you turn nowadays, you always hear about venturing into entrepreneurship. But what is entrepreneurship exactly? It is actually defined as the process wherein a group or an individual makes an effort to pursue opportunities to satisfy needs and wants through uniqueness and innovation.

The Secret Science of Getting Rich Through a Right Wholesaler
By: Pedro Martinez | 14/02/2008 | Home Business
When you want to sell products in retail, the first thing you need to do is to find a reliable and trustworthy wholesaler. The key here is reliable and trustworthy, that is the secret science of getting rich.

Four Things Women Should Know Before Starting a Home Based Business
By: Pedro Martinez | 14/02/2008 | Home Business
It is becoming more and more popular to start your own home based business and women are going into business just as much as men. There is much to know about starting a home based business, and here there are five important things women should know before starting their business.

Don’t Ever Give Up!
By: Pedro Martinez | 14/02/2008 | Home Business
I always hear about people being so negative about starting a business. You hear things like; I can’t do that or You can’t do that.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below