2013
Repeated in vivo exposure of cocaine induces long‐lasting synaptic plasticity in hypocretin/orexin‐producing neurons in the lateral hypothalamus in mice
Rao Y, Mineur YS, Gan G, Wang AH, Liu Z, Wu X, Suyama S, de Lecea L, Horvath TL, Picciotto MR, Gao X. Repeated in vivo exposure of cocaine induces long‐lasting synaptic plasticity in hypocretin/orexin‐producing neurons in the lateral hypothalamus in mice. The Journal Of Physiology 2013, 591: 1951-1966. PMID: 23318871, PMCID: PMC3624862, DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.246983.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCAMP response element-binding proteinHypocretin neuronsLong-term potentiationSynaptic potentiationLateral hypothalamusCocaine administrationExperience-dependent synaptic potentiationExperience-dependent potentiationHypocretin-producing neuronsVivo cocaine administrationCocaine-treated animalsOrexin-producing neuronsAMPA-type glutamate receptorsVentral tegmental areaHigh-frequency stimulationCocaine-treated micePlace preference protocolResponse element-binding proteinDrugs of abuseCocaine withdrawalTegmental areaGlutamatergic synapsesGlutamate receptorsHypocretin systemElement-binding protein
2010
Direct Evidence for Wake-Related Increases and Sleep-Related Decreases in Synaptic Strength in Rodent Cortex
Liu ZW, Faraguna U, Cirelli C, Tononi G, Gao XB. Direct Evidence for Wake-Related Increases and Sleep-Related Decreases in Synaptic Strength in Rodent Cortex. Journal Of Neuroscience 2010, 30: 8671-8675. PMID: 20573912, PMCID: PMC2903226, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1409-10.2010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMiniature EPSCsAmplitude of mEPSCsFrontal cortex slicesNet synaptic potentiationCerebral cortexCortex slicesLarge brain areasSynaptic potentiationSynaptic currentsBrain areasRodent cortexStrong synapsesRecovery sleepSynaptic homeostasisSynaptic strengthSleepCortexSynapsesEPSCsTime of dayRatsPotentiationMiceDirect evidenceExperience‐dependent plasticity in hypocretin/orexin neurones: re‐setting arousal threshold
Gao X, Wang AH. Experience‐dependent plasticity in hypocretin/orexin neurones: re‐setting arousal threshold. Acta Physiologica 2010, 198: 251-262. PMID: 19785627, PMCID: PMC2860674, DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.2009.02047.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsExperience-dependent plasticityExperience-dependent changesEnvironmental cuesArousal levelMaintenance of arousalBrain areasAddictive drugsBrain functionSynaptic architectureLateral hypothalamusAnimal behaviorExtensive innervationNeuropeptide hypocretinArousal thresholdCore processesSynaptic plasticityHypocretin/orexin neuronesArousalAnimal survivalEnvironmental factorsPlasticityBehavioral factorsNeuronesBehavioral changesOrexin neurones
2007
Prolonged wakefulness induces experience-dependent synaptic plasticity in mouse hypocretin/orexin neurons
Rao Y, Liu ZW, Borok E, Rabenstein RL, Shanabrough M, Lu M, Picciotto MR, Horvath TL, Gao XB. Prolonged wakefulness induces experience-dependent synaptic plasticity in mouse hypocretin/orexin neurons. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2007, 117: 4022-4033. PMID: 18060037, PMCID: PMC2104495, DOI: 10.1172/jci32829.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHypocretin/orexin neuronsLong-term potentiationOrexin neuronsGlutamatergic synapsesSynaptic plasticitySleep lossExperience-dependent synaptic plasticityDopamine D1 receptorsChronic sleep lossSleep-wake regulationModafinil treatmentLateral hypothalamusD1 receptorsSimilar potentiationBrain slicesNeuronal activityNeuronal circuitryDopamine systemNervous systemSynaptic strengthNeuronsPathological conditionsGentle handlingMiceWakefulness
2005
Input organization and plasticity of hypocretin neurons Possible clues to obesity’s association with insomnia
Horvath TL, Gao XB. Input organization and plasticity of hypocretin neurons Possible clues to obesity’s association with insomnia. Cell Metabolism 2005, 1: 279-286. PMID: 16054072, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2005.03.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHypocretin neuronsSynaptic currentsHypothalamic hypocretin neuronsMore excitatory synapsesOvernight food deprivationElevated food intakeExcitatory synaptic currentsControl of arousalCause of narcolepsyStress-induced plasticityHypocretin levelsLeptin administrationHypocretin cellsHypocretin signalingMetabolic disturbancesObesity associationSynaptic organizationExcitatory synapsesFood intakeInhibitory inputsCell bodiesUnderlying causeNeuronsInput organizationFood deprivation