Topic: orexin-producing neurons

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neuron disease inexorably leading to premature death. Sleep disturbances have been ascribed to respiratory insufficiency, muscle cramps, spasticity, or restless legs syndrome, all leading to increased wakefulness. However, a recent neuropathological study in ALS patients described a loss of orexin-producing neurons, a neuropeptide involved in sleep and metabolic regulation, undermining the idea that sleep alterations are linked to central and peripheral changes. Yet, sleep alterations are poorly characterized in ALS, and their rela