Impact of NPAS2 on mPFC dopamine synthesis and nap behavior - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #nap behavior
- #circadian rhythm
- #dopamine
- NPAS2 is identified as a sex-independent determinant of nap behavior in mice.
- NPAS2 in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) regulates naps by modulating local dopaminergic activity circadianly.
- Tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH+) neurons in mPFC show time-of-day dependent wake-promoting activity, with minimal activity during nap hours.
- NPAS2 suppresses dopaminergic activity through a POU2F2-TH pathway, downregulating TH expression and dopamine production.
- This mechanism provides insights into the neural and molecular regulation of nap behavior.