![]() A less objective way is to flip a rat over and see if it flips back. (How do you tell when an animal is asleep? Here the authors fitted their test subjects with devices for ECGs to measure their brain waves. Here, the authors developed a new orexin receptor antagonist called DORA-22, and pitted it against the traditional hypnotics, Valium (diazepam), Ambien (zolpidem) and Lunesta (eszopiclone).īy feeding the drugs to rats and rhesus monkeys, the authors first discovered that at higher doses, DORA-22 was just as effective as GABA-modulating drugs in bringing on the zzzs, while at lower doses it was even more effective than current drugs on the market. Previous studies have shown that blocking orexin can induce sleep, but haven’t looked at potential cognitive side effects. Unlike the promiscuous GABAAR, orexin’s receptors are scattered in brain areas primarily involved in sleep. It is a protein synthesized almost exclusively at the lateral hypothalamus, the brain’s major sleep/wake control centre, and acts to promote wakefulness and vigilance. ![]() Along with its role in appetite and energy regulation, orexin (aka hypocretin) is also a predominant arousal signal to parts of the brain controlling the sleep/wake cycle. The authors in this study have their eyes on the orexinergic system. Science Translational Medicine 5, 179ra44 (2013) Orexin Receptor Antagonists Differ from Standard Sleep Drugs by Promoting Sleep at Doses That Do Not Disrupt Cognition. Even worse, GABAA-modulators don’t really mimic the physiological sleep state, and can bring on some seriously weird behaviors, such as walking, eating and even driving while the person is asleep. Targeting GABAAR with Ambien is almost like bringing a hammer to the head: it slows down the brain enough to bring on sleep, but at the same time disrupts normal cognition, attention, learning and memory the next day, leading to “hypnotic hangovers” that are hard to shake off. ![]() GABAAR is not only implicated in sleep it also regulates mood, learning and cognition, and works to increase inhibitory synaptic transmission. 10-15% of adults suffer from insomnia, and up to a third take prescription sleeping pills to bring on the snooze – for a heavy cognitive price.Ĭurrent sleeping drugs, such as Ambien and Lunesta, target a type of receptor called GABAAR in the brain. Many a nights I’ve tossed and turned, willing my brain to STFU and let me sleep. Sunday and Thursday, 4.00 to 4.30pm, except the first Sunday in the month.Edit: Looks like Merck's DORA drug in on the brink of approval from the FDA. Listen to the latest edition online or browse the interviews. Mariella Frostrup with news from the world of books. Weekdays, 7 - 7.15pm and the Omnibus on Sunday, 10.00 - 11.15am. Pan and zoom through the entire village, discover more about the locations and characters. The requested URL /cgi-bin/radio4/archers/todays_ was not found on this server. Win a CD copy of the Treasure Planet soundtrack released this week. Back Row talks to its resident film historian John Huntley, writer Kim Newman and Kurt Wimmer, the director of Equilibrium.Īntonia Quirke's guide to Norwegian cinema. ![]() This is not the first time film-makers have taken the idea of emotionless individuals. Next weekend sees the release of Equilibrium a film set in a futuristic, totalitarian state where all emotion is outlawed, punishable by death, banned as the very root of crime and war. Joe Cornish talks to Natasha Richardson about her latest role in Maid in Manhattan. Join in the discussion by visiting the message board. Joe Cornish present the weekly film programme. BBC Radio 4 - Back Row - Todd Haynes, Joe Cornish ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |