Activity-dependent brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression regulates cortistatin-interneurons and sleep behavior

• Main Authors: Martinowich Keri, Schloesser Robert J, Jimenez Dennisse V, Weinberger Daniel R, Lu Bai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-03-01
• Series: Molecular Brain
• Online Access: http://www.molecularbrain.com/content/4/1/11

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sleep homeostasis is characterized by a positive correlation between sleep length and intensity with the duration of the prior waking period. A causal role for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in sleep homeostasis has been suggested, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Cortistatin, a neuropeptide expressed primarily in a subset of cortical GABAergic interneurons, is another molecule implicated in sleep homeostasis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We confirmed that sleep deprivation leads to an increase in cortical cortistatin mRNA expression. Disruption of activity-dependent BDNF expression in a genetically modified mouse line impairs both baseline levels of cortistatin mRNA as well as its levels following sleep deprivation. Disruption of activity-dependent BDNF also leads to a decrease in sleep time during the active (dark) phase.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our studies suggest that regulation of cortistatin-expressing interneurons by activity-dependent BDNF expression may contribute to regulation of sleep behavior.</p>