基底前脑（basal forebrain，BF）的胆碱能神经元被认为参与睡眠觉醒活动尤其是快速眼动睡眠。然而，其调节的模式及其神经环路和机制并不清楚，主要是由于一直缺乏特异性干预胆碱能细胞活动的研究手段。最近，我们采用光遗传学方法在ChAT-ChR2-EYFP转基因小鼠上的研究初步发现：用473nm蓝光特异性地兴奋BF中的胆碱能神经元能"唤醒"慢波睡眠中的动物，但不影响动物的清醒或快速眼动睡眠状态。因此，本项目拟采用光遗传学、多电极记录系统、微透析、c-fos免疫组化染色等手段，进一步深入研究BF的胆碱能神经元对睡眠觉醒的影响模式，并揭示参与的神经递质、神经环路及其机制，阐明睡眠觉醒行为调节的神经机制。

It has been found that the extensive projections from the cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain may activate cortex in rats and mice. In addition, the activation of these cholinergic neurons may be involved in cortical activation especially in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. However, in the past, due to the lack of an effective technique that may specifically interfere with the activity of these cholinergic neurons, the regulation models, the neural circuits and the mechanism of BF cholinergic neurons in sleep-wake behavior are not clear. Recently, our preliminary study using optogenetic technique in ChAT-ChR2-EYFP transgenic mice showed that selectively excitation of BF cholinergic neurons can "wake up" animal in slow wave sleep, but will not immediately affect animal in awake or rapid eye movement sleep state. Therefore, in the present project we will use optogenetics, multi-electrode recording system, microdialysis, c-fos immunohistochemical staining and other means, and further study the roles of BF cholinergic neurons in sleep-wake cycle, and reveal the involvement of neurotransmitters, neural circuits and their mechanism. This study will help to understand the neural mechanism in regulation of sleep-wake behavior.