Investigators
Principal investigators: Michael Bruchas (formerly WashU Anesthesiology), Erik Herzog (WashU Biology)
Description
Sleep disturbances cause decrements in quality of life, contribute to mental health
disorders, and may play a critical role in multiple neurodegenerative diseases. This
study aims to define the neurocircuitry involved in circadian regulation of sleep and
identify novel key points in this circuitry that can be manipulated to improve sleep
function. One key neuropeptide that will be examined in this proposal, dynorphin, has
multiple compounds and small molecules in various stages of development. The
proposed studies will offer fundamental new insights into the regulation of sleep and will
offer novel targets for future development in the treatment f sleep and related disorders.
Investigators
Pilot project teams include Hope Center faculty members and others. For more about Hope Center faculty on this team, click below.
Support
This pilot project is made possible by the Danforth Foundation Challenge Endowment.
