Functional Analysis of Sleep Promoting Neurons in Health and Disease

描述（由申请人提供）：我们已经确定了一组约20个神经元，可以使用果蝇遗传学按需激活。在这些神经元激活期间观察到的睡眠符合识别睡眠的历史定义。我们的数据强调了这些神经元对调节睡眠的重要性。在这个建议中，我们将使用活细胞成像和在体内的电生理记录从果蝇的大脑来定义这些神经元在完整的大脑中的属性。利用果蝇遗传学诱导睡眠的能力提供了一个独特的机会，可以检查睡眠是否可以用作减缓或减弱与退行性疾病相关的认知障碍的治疗方法。因此，我们将确定是否诱导帕金森氏症和阿尔茨海默氏症的果蝇模型的睡眠可以抵消认知行为的缺陷。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We have identified a group of ~20 neurons that can be activated on-demand using Drosophila genetics. The sleep observed during activation of these neurons meets the historical definition for identifying sleep. Our data highlight the importance of these neurons for regulating sleep. In this proposal we will use live-cell imaging and in vivo electrophysiological recording from Drosophila brains to define the properties of these neurons in the intact brain. The ability to use Drosophila genetics to induce sleep provides a unique opportunity to examine whether sleep can be used as a therapeutic for slowing or attenuating cognitive impairments associated with degenerative diseases. Thus, we will determine whether inducing sleep in Drosophila models of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease can offset deficits in cognitive behavior.