レム睡眠を制御する神経回路メカニズム

Neural Circuit Mechanisms Underlying REM Sleep

レム睡眠は「活発な脳」と「動かない身体」を特徴とし，その制御破綻はナルコレプシーやレム睡眠行動障害などの疾患に関与する。本論では，まずレム睡眠の基本について解説したのち，扁桃体のドーパミン信号によるレム睡眠開始機構と，延髄の抑制性経路による筋アトニア発生のメカニズムを紹介し，これらの回路の統合的理解が睡眠関連疾患の病態解明と将来の治療戦略に貢献する可能性を論じる。

Abstract

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is characterized by an “active brain” and an “immobile body,” and its dysregulation has been implicated in disorders such as narcolepsy and REM sleep behavior disorder. In this review, we first provide an overview of the basic features of REM sleep and then introduce the mechanisms by which dopamine signaling in the amygdala induces REM sleep and the inhibitory pathways in the medulla oblongata that mediate muscle atonia. Finally, we discussed how an integrated understanding of these neural circuits will advance our knowledge of the pathophysiology of sleep-related disorders and inform future therapeutic strategies.