REM Sleep Affected by Orexin Hormone

Orexin is a hormone that controls eating and sleeping was discovered in 1998. Imbalance in this system can drastically affect sleep, REM sleep, wakefulness and eating.

Actelion, a drug company, is developing orexin-RA-1, a drug candidate that inhibits the orexin system. Rats given orexin-RA-1 sleep better and perform better in maze tests the following day. The rats experience more REM sleep.

From: Guardian Unlimited

http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,1703210,00.html

Dreams, REM, Studies |