Not a single but multiple populations of GABAergic neurons control sleep

Summary The role of GABA in sleep induction and maintenance is well accepted since most insomnia treatments target GABAa receptors. However, the population(s) of GABAergic neurons involved in the beneficial effect of GABA on sleep remains to be identified. This is not an easy task since GABAergic ne...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sleep medicine reviews 2017-04, Vol.32, p.85-94
Main Authors: Luppi, Pierre-Hervé, Dr, Peyron, Christelle, Fort, Patrice
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Brain - metabolism
GABAergic Neurons - physiology
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - physiology
Humans
Life Sciences
Neurobiology
Neurology
Neurons and Cognition
Rats
Receptors, GABA - physiology
Sleep - physiology
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Sleep Medicine
Sleep, REM - physiology
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Summary:Summary The role of GABA in sleep induction and maintenance is well accepted since most insomnia treatments target GABAa receptors. However, the population(s) of GABAergic neurons involved in the beneficial effect of GABA on sleep remains to be identified. This is not an easy task since GABAergic neurons are widely distributed in all brain structures. A recently growing number of populations of GABAergic neurons have been involved in sleep control. We first review here possible candidates for inducing NREM sleep including the GABAergic neurons of the ventrolateral preoptic area, the parafacial zone in the brainstem, the nucleus accumbens and the cortex. We also discuss the role of several populations of GABAergic neurons in REM sleep control. Indeed, it is well accepted that muscle atonia occurring during REM sleep is due to a GABA/glycinergic hyperpolarization of motoneurons. Recent evidence strongly suggests that these neurons are located in the ventral medullary reticular formation. It has also recently been shown that neurons containing the neuropeptide melanin concentrating hormone and GABA located in the lateral hypothalamic area control REM sleep expression. Finally, a population of REM-off GABAergic neurons located in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray has been shown to gate REM sleep by inhibiting glutamatergic neurons located in the sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus. In summary, recent data clearly indicate that multiple populations of GABAergic neurons located throughout the brain from the cortex to the medulla oblongata control NREM and REM sleep.
ISSN:1087-0792
1532-2955
DOI:10.1016/j.smrv.2016.03.002