Sleep, Orexin and Cognition

Orexins regulate a wide variety of biological functions, most notably the sleep-wake cycle, reward and stress processing, alertness, vigilance, cognitive functioning. Alterations central peripheral orexin levels are linked to conditions such as narcolepsy, anorexia nervosa, age-related decline, neurodegenerative disease. Preliminary studies suggest that mimetics can safely promote wake signal via agonism during day receptor antagonists sleep night. Thus, novel therapies have potential either improve memory, cognition, daytime performance directly or indirectly, through promotion good sleep. The full scope therapeutic remains be elucidated.