Abstract:

The discovery of hypothalamus Hypocretin (Hcrt)/Orexin system and its relationship with narcolepsy is one of the major advances in sleep medicine. Hcrt/Orexin is a significant neurotransmitter in the circadian cycle of arousal. Basic research about Hcrt/Orexin system has been applied in clinical practice and the measurement of Hcrt/Orexin in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the golden criteria and classification basis for diagnosis of narcolepsy. Breakthrough advance has been made in genetic immunology of hypothalamus Hcrt/Orexin neuronal apoptosis of narcolepsy patients. Medications aimed at Hcrt/Orexin receptors are considered to be a novel target in the treatment of sleep disorders.

Key words: Narcolepsy, Review

摘要：

下丘脑Hypocretin（Hcrt）/Orexin 能系统的发现及其与发作性睡病之间的关系是睡眠医学领域的重大研究进展之一。Hcrt/Orexin 是睡眠-觉醒周期调节的主要促醒物质。相关研究成果业已转化为临床应用，其中脑脊液Hcrt/Orexin 测定已作为发作性睡病的诊断“金标准”和分型依据。发作性睡病患者下丘脑Hcrt/Orexin 能神经元凋亡的遗传免疫学机制研究也获得突破性进展。针对Hcrt/Orexin 受体的药物也成为睡眠障碍药物治疗的新靶点。

关键词: 发作性睡病, 综述