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The impact of sleep deprivation on neuronal and glial signaling pathways important for memory and synaptic plasticity
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The impact of sleep deprivation on neuronal and glial signaling pathways important for memory and synaptic plasticity

Robbert Havekes, Christopher G Vecsey and Ted Abel
Cellular signalling, Vol.24(6), pp.1251-1260
06/2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2012.02.010
PMCID: PMC3622220
PMID: 22570866
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cellsig.2012.02.010View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Sleep deprivation is a common feature in modern society, and one of the consequences of sleep loss is the impairment of cognitive function. Although it has been widely accepted that sleep deprivation affects learning and memory, only recently has research begun to address which molecular signaling pathways are altered by sleep loss and, more importantly, which pathways can be targeted to reverse the memory impairments resulting from sleep deprivation. In this review, we discuss the different methods used to sleep deprive animals and the effects of different durations of sleep deprivation on learning and memory with an emphasis on hippocampus-dependent memory. We then review the molecular signaling pathways that are sensitive to sleep loss, with a focus on those thought to play a critical role in the memory and synaptic plasticity deficits observed after sleep deprivation. Finally, we highlight several recent attempts to reverse the effects of sleep deprivation on memory and synaptic plasticity. Future research building on these studies promises to contribute to the development of novel strategies to ameliorate the effects of sleep loss on cognition. ► Hippocampal function is particularly sensitive to sleep loss. ► Sleep deprivation alters hippocampal glutamate, acetylcholine, and GABA systems. ► Sleep deprivation attenuates hippocampal cAMP signaling. ► Rescuing cAMP signaling prevents effects of sleep deprivation on the hippocampus. ► Astrocytes contribute to the effects of sleep deprivation on memory and plasticity.
Learning Sleep loss Transcription cAMP Astrocytes Hippocampus

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