9 Dec 2022

Molecular signals within excitatory neurons regulate sleep

Elucidating the mechanism that determines the quantity and quality of sleep.

Sleep is necessary for everyone, but why sleep is needed at all is a mystery to this day. The research team focused on an enzyme (SIK3) which is key to solving this mystery. This enzyme regulates the chain of reactions in the brain involved in sleep, forming a molecular signal which regulates the quality and quantity of sleep. However, it was not known what kind of molecules and chains of molecules SIK3 forms for sleep regulation, or through which cells it is determined. In this study, the details of the chain (molecular signal) and the genes regulated by this molecular signal were clarified for the first time ever internationally.


We also found that the quality of sleep is regulated by excitatory neurons in the cortex and the quantity is regulated by excitatory neurons in the hypothalamus. We have also succeeded in further validating this molecular signal by using viral vectors to alter the quantity and quality of sleep in an acquired manner.

Sleep is essential for physical and mental health. Sleep disorders increase the risk of mental disorders, diabetes, heart disease, and dementia such as Alzheimer's disease, and decrease brain performance during the day. It is said that many people in Japan have sleep debt (mental and physical disorders associated with sleep deprivation). Through understanding the mechanisms that control the quantity and quality of sleep, it is expected to contribute to the development of new methods of sleep control and treatments for sleep disorders.

Journal Publication A - Nature 【DOI】 10.1038/s41586-022-05450-1
      Kinase signalling in excitatory neurons regulates sleep quantity and depth.


Journal Publication B - Nature 【DOI】 10.1038/s41586-022-05510-6
      A signaling pathway for transcriptional regulation of sleep amount in mice.


Research Outline (PDF In Japanese language)