Sleep-inducing factors

CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2009 Aug;8(4):235-44. doi: 10.2174/187152709788921672.

Abstract

Kuniomi Ishimori and Henri Piéron were the first researchers to introduce the concept and experimental evidence for a chemical factor that would presumably accumulate in the brain during waking and eventually induce sleep. This substance was named hypnotoxin. Currently, the variety of substances which have been shown to alter sleep includes peptides, cytokines, neurotransmitters and some substances of lipidic nature, many of which are well known for their involvement in other biological activities. In this chapter, we describe the sleep-inducing properties of the vasoactive intestinal peptide, prolactin, adenosine and anandamide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acids / physiology*
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / physiology
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Humans
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • Prolactin / physiology*
  • Sleep / physiology*
  • Sleep, REM / physiology
  • Stress, Physiological / physiology
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / physiology*

Substances

  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
  • Prolactin
  • Adenosine
  • anandamide