Identification of sleep-promoting neurons in vitro

摘要: The neurons responsible for the onset of sleep are thought to be located in preoptic area and more specifically, ventrolateral nucleus (VLPO). Here we identify sleep-promoting vitro show that they represent an homogeneous population cells must inhibited by systems arousal during waking state. We find two-thirds VLPO multipolar triangular a low-threshold spike. This proportion matches active same region. then show, using single-cell reverse transcriptase followed polymerase chain reaction, these probably contain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). also noradrenaline acetylcholine, both which transmitters wakefulness. As most serotonin but unaffected histamine, their overall inhibition wakefulness is agreement with relative inactivity respect sleep. propose reciprocal inhibitory interaction such noradrenergic, serotoninergic cholinergic project key factor promoting