Thalamic regulation of sleep depth

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K06435
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 46030:Function of nervous system-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Honjoh Sakiko 筑波大学, 国際統合睡眠医科学研究機構, 助教 (30551379)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 大脳皮質 / 視床 / ノンレム睡眠 / 徐波 / 神経活動 / 光遺伝学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Slow-wave EEG, which is specific to non-REM sleep, is the only indicator of sleep depth. In this study, we investigated potential roles played by matrix cells in the ventromedial nucleus of the thalamus in slow wave generation. First, we simultaneously measured electroencephalograms, cerebral cortical action potentials, and thalamic matrix cell action potentials in freely moving mice. As a result, we found that thalamic matrix cells fire in synchronization with slow waves in the cerebral cortex. Furthermore, when thalamic matrix cells were stimulated at a low frequency using optogenetics, slow wave-like neural activity was induced in the cerebral cortex. Furthermore, ablation of thalamic matrix cells reduced cortical slow waves.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでに睡眠・覚醒時間を制御する脳領域は報告されているが、睡眠の深さを制御する神経メカニズムは不明のままである。本研究によって、睡眠の深さの唯一の指標とされる「徐波」の生成に視床腹側内側核のマトリックス細胞が関与している事を世界で初めて見いだした。本研究がさらに発展し睡眠の深さを制御するメカニズムが十分に解明されれば、効率よく深い睡眠を取る手法の開発に貢献する可能性がある。