Hypothalamic MCH neurons links tau pathology to sleep disruption - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #Alzheimer's Disease
- #Tauopathy
- #Sleep Disruption
- Hypothalamic MCH neurons are identified as a critical link between tau pathology and sleep disruption in Alzheimer's disease.
- Longitudinal studies in PS19 mice show progressive sleep architecture and homeostasis impairments.
- Histological analysis reveals degeneration of MCH and hypocretin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus in late tauopathy stages.
- Fiber photometry recordings indicate selective functional impairment of MCH neurons, with reduced activity during REM sleep.
- Cell-autonomous expression of mutant tau in MCH neurons causally replicates sleep disruption.
- Optogenetic and chemogenetic activation of MCH neurons restores sleep in aged PS19 mice, highlighting their therapeutic potential.