Topic: preoptic area

To survive in harsh environment such as food shortages in cold seasons, some animals develop a specific physiologic state—the hibernation. Recently, a hibernation-like state was successfully induced in non-hibernators such as mice. This state is induced by activation of Qrfp neurons in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus and is called Q-neuron-induced hypothermia and hypometabolism (QIH) (Takahashi et al., Nature, 2020). The mice showed hypothermia with very low systemic oxygen consumption during QIH. However, it remains unclear how the metabolism of glucose, the main energy resource, is reg

Sleep and wakefulness are controlled by specific brain regions. These regions have been identified by classical elimination of brain regions or by acute manipulation of neural activity. However, acute manipulation of these regions often has only a temporary effect on the sleep-wake cycles and chronic inhibition of neural activity in these areas has little effect. These may have been an adaptation and compensation by other brain regions. The preoptic area (POA) has long been recognized as the sleep center first proposed by von Economo. However, a recent optogenetic study found that photostimula

The preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus has garnered attention regarding its pivotal role in energy balance control and thermoregulation. Activation or inhibition of specific POA neurons has been shown to affect body temperature, locomotor activity and energy expenditure. To gain novel insights into this regulatory mechanism, we have conducted a comprehensive analysis of a distinct neuronal cluster within the POA that express the neuropeptide prepronociceptin (PNOC). Using chemogenetic techniques, we selectively activated PNOC(POA) neurons of mice and observed a significant reduction in br

Sleep is an essential biological need that is regulated by multiple brain networks. The hypothalamus is a structure that is essential for the maintenance of physiological homeostasis including food intake, reproduction and sleep-wake states. The lateral hypothalamic area (LH) encompasses various cell groups critical for the coordination of arousal and REM sleep. In contrast, the preoptic area (POA) of the anterior hypothalamus is involved in the NREM sleep regulation. The predominant concept is that hypothalamic cells that govern sleep-wake states are clustered into wake-on, NREM-on or REM-on

Some animals use the strategy, known as hibernation, to survive harsh environments, such as extreme thermal challenges and food scarcity, by reducing metabolism and core body temperature. Recent work has shown that activation of Qrfp neurons in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus (POA) can induce a hibernation-like state in non-hibernators such as mice, termed Q-neuron-induced hypothermia and hypometabolism (QIH) (Takahashi et al., Nature, 2020). During QIH, the mice show hypothermia with low systemic oxygen consumption. Interestingly, they show immobile behaviours, such as hibernation and a