The how and why of sleep: Motor theory and catecholamine hypothesis.

IF 15 1区医学 Q1 NEUROSCIENCES

Neuron Pub Date : 2025-09-16 DOI:10.1016/j.neuron.2025.08.017

Chenyan Ma, Yang Dan

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Sleep entails profound changes in the brain and body, marked by altered states of consciousness and reduced somatic and autonomic motor activity. Regarding "how" sleep is regulated, whole-brain screening revealed large sleep-control networks spanning the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. We unify diverse experimental evidence under a "motor theory," in which the sleep-control mechanism is integral to somatic and autonomic motor circuits. Regarding the "why" question, sleep deprivation impairs cognition, emotion, metabolism, and immunity. We propose catecholamine (dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline) inactivation as the fundamental biological process underlying sleep's numerous benefits. Beyond brain arousal and motor activity, catecholamines regulate metabolism and immunity; their sleep-dependent suppression yields wide-ranging advantages, promoting repair and rejuvenation. Furthermore, catecholaminergic neurons are metabolically vulnerable; their need for rest and recovery may drive homeostatic sleep pressure. Together, the motor theory offers a unifying framework for sleep control, while the catecholamine hypothesis posits a core mechanism mediating sleep's multifaceted benefits.

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睡眠的方式和原因：运动理论和儿茶酚胺假说。

睡眠导致大脑和身体发生深刻的变化，其特征是意识状态的改变和躯体和自主运动活动的减少。关于睡眠是如何被调节的，全脑筛查揭示了跨越前脑、中脑和后脑的巨大睡眠控制网络。我们在“运动理论”下统一了各种实验证据，其中睡眠控制机制是体细胞和自主运动电路的组成部分。至于“为什么”的问题，睡眠剥夺会损害认知、情绪、新陈代谢和免疫力。我们认为儿茶酚胺（多巴胺、去甲肾上腺素和肾上腺素）失活是睡眠众多益处背后的基本生物过程。除了大脑觉醒和运动活动，儿茶酚胺还调节新陈代谢和免疫；它们的睡眠依赖性抑制产生了广泛的好处，促进修复和恢复活力。此外，儿茶酚胺能神经元在代谢上是脆弱的；他们对休息和恢复的需求可能会导致体内平衡睡眠压力。总之，运动理论为睡眠控制提供了一个统一的框架，而儿茶酚胺假说则提出了一种调节睡眠多方面益处的核心机制。

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来源期刊

Neuron 医学-神经科学

CiteScore

24.50

自引率

3.10%

发文量

382

审稿时长

1 months

期刊介绍： Established as a highly influential journal in neuroscience, Neuron is widely relied upon in the field. The editors adopt interdisciplinary strategies, integrating biophysical, cellular, developmental, and molecular approaches alongside a systems approach to sensory, motor, and higher-order cognitive functions. Serving as a premier intellectual forum, Neuron holds a prominent position in the entire neuroscience community.