Chapter 4 - Neurochemistry and Pharmacology of Sleep
AbstractIn the last several decades, there has been a substantial increase in the knowledge of the anatomy, electrophysiology, and neurochemistry of the neuronal networks that generate wakefulness, nonrapid eye movement, and rapid eye movement sleep. These neuronal networks interact to generate the sleep–wakefulness cycle. In addition, they are modulated by the circadian rhythm pacemaker that is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, determining that all diurnal animals (including humans) present their main waking period during daytime. Finally, several substances such as adenosine, melatonin, cytokines, nitric oxide, and endocannabinoids modulate this cycle.The knowledge of the neurochemical basis of these systems is critical to understanding the physiology of the sleep–wakefulness cycle, the pathophysiology of diseases that affect sleep, and to generate pharmacological approaches to treat them. In this chapter, we reviewed the crucial concepts of the neurochemical foundation of Read more...
Pablo Torterolo
Publication date: 2019/01/01