Title:Neurophysiology and Treatment of Disorders of Consciousness Induced by Traumatic Brain Injury: Orexin Signaling as a Potential Therapeutic Target
Volume: 25
Issue: 39
Author(s): Huiling Tang, Qiumei Zhu, Wei Li, Siru Qin, Yinan Gong, Hong Wang, Seiji Shioda, Shanshan Li, Jin Huang, Baohu Liu, Yuxin Fang, Yangyang Liu, Shenjun Wang, Yongming Guo, Qing Xia, Yi Guo*Zhifang Xu*
Affiliation:
- Acupuncture Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin,China
- Acupuncture Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin,China
Keywords:
Wakefulness, orexin, disorders of consciousness, traumatic brain injury, ascending reticular activating system, hypothalamus.
Abstract:
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause disorders of consciousness (DOC) by impairing
the neuronal circuits of the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) structures, including the hypothalamus,
which are responsible for the maintenance of the wakefulness and awareness. However, the effectiveness of drugs
targeting ARAS activation is still inadequate, and novel therapeutic modalities are urgently needed.
Methods: The goal of this work is to describe the neural loops of wakefulness, and explain how these elements
participate in DOC, with emphasis on the identification of potential new therapeutic options for DOC induced by
TBI.
Results: Hypothalamus has been identified as a sleep/wake center, and its anterior and posterior regions have
diverse roles in the regulation of the sleep/wake function. In particular, the posterior hypothalamus (PH) possesses
several types of neurons, including the orexin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) with widespread
projections to other wakefulness-related regions of the brain. Orexins have been known to affect feeding and
appetite, and recently their profound effect on sleep disorders and DOC has been identified. Orexin antagonists
are used for the treatment of insomnia, and orexin agonists can be used for narcolepsy. Additionally, several
studies demonstrated that the agonists of orexin might be effective in the treatment of DOC, providing novel
therapeutic opportunities in this field.
Conclusion: The hypothalamic-centered orexin has been adopted as the point of entry into the system of consciousness
control, and modulators of orexin signaling opened several therapeutic opportunities for the treatment
of DOC.