An arousing discovery on catalepsy: orexin regulates vestibular motor functions.
Summary of "An arousing discovery on catalepsy: orexin regulates vestibular motor functions."
A study by Zhang et al. in this issue of Neuron reveals a novel mechanism of control of vestibular motor functions by the orexin (hypocretin) system in the perifornical/LH area through the lateral vestibular nucleus in the brainstem. This knowledge provides new insights into the understanding of brain circuitry that controls motor functions and diseases/conditions related to impairments in this circuitry.
Affiliation
Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism Program, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Neuron
ISSN: 1097-4199
Pages: 588-90
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21338870
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2011.02.017
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Catalepsy
A condition characterized by inactivity, decreased responsiveness to stimuli, and a tendency to maintain an immobile posture. The limbs tend to remain in whatever position they are placed (waxy flexibility). Catalepsy may be associated with PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS (e.g., SCHIZOPHRENIA, CATATONIC), nervous system drug toxicity, and other conditions.
Sensory Rhodopsins
Photosensory rhodopsins found in microorganisms such as HALOBACTERIA. They convert light signals into biochemical information that regulates certain cellular functions such as flagellar motor activity.
Vestibular Nerve
The vestibular part of the 8th cranial nerve (VESTIBULOCOCHLEAR NERVE). The vestibular nerve fibers arise from neurons of Scarpa's ganglion and project peripherally to vestibular hair cells and centrally to the VESTIBULAR NUCLEI of the BRAIN STEM. These fibers mediate the sense of balance and head position.
Vestibular Nucleus, Lateral
Vestibular nucleus lying immediately superior to the inferior vestibular nucleus and composed of large multipolar nerve cells. Its upper end becomes continuous with the superior vestibular nucleus. (From Dorland, 28th ed)
Vestibular Diseases
Pathological processes of the VESTIBULAR LABYRINTH which contains part of the balancing apparatus. Patients with vestibular diseases show instability and are at risk of frequent falls.
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