Sleep-wake rhythm: Fish change our understanding of sleep regulation
Contrary to common belief, not all vertebrates regulate their sleep-wake rhythm in the same way. Researchers led by Prof. Alex Schier at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, discovered that some fish – unlike humans – do not need orexin, also called Hypocretin, to stay awake. This molecule is crucial in mammals: Humans without orexin suffer from narcolepsy, a sleep disorder. The findings have an impact on our understanding of how sleep is regulated, as orexin was thought to be necessary for normal wake and sleep rhythms.