Researchers May Have Found a New Clue to Treating Insomnia
Summary
Scientists found that a natural brain molecule called tryptamine increases the longer an animal stays awake and helps signal when it is time to sleep. This molecule works by activating a brain receptor named GPR139, which promotes sleep, suggesting a new path for treating insomnia.Key Facts
- Tryptamine is a molecule in the brain that rises with the length of wakefulness.
- The increase in tryptamine is linked to time awake, not the time of day.
- Tryptamine activates GPR139 receptors on neurons that promote sleep.
- When this pathway is blocked, animals have trouble recovering sleep after deprivation.
- Experiments in mice and pigs showed that drugs targeting GPR139 improved sleep length and quality.
- The study was conducted by researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and others.
- The findings were published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.
- Researchers believe targeting GPR139 could lead to new treatments for insomnia.
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