Loss of hypocretin (orexin) neurons with traumatic brain injury

• DOI: 10.1002/ana.21836
• Publication Date: 2009-08-21T15:13:15Z
• Authors: Christian R. Baumann; Claudio L. Bassetti; Philipp O. Valko; Johannes Haybaeck; Morten Keller; Erika Clark; Reto Stocker; Markus Tolnay; Thomas E. Scammell
• Keywords: Etiology

Chronic, daytime sleepiness is a major, disabling symptom for many patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), but thus far, its etiology not well understood. Extensive loss of the hypothalamic neurons that produce wake-promoting neuropeptide hypocretin (orexin) causes severe narcolepsy, and partial these cells may contribute to Parkinson disease other disorders. We have found number significantly reduced in TBI. This observation highlights often overlooked TBI provides new insights into chronic