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。在这些神经元的激活过程中观察到的睡眠符合历史上对睡眠的定义。我们的数据强调了这些神经元对调节睡眠的重要性。在这个提议中，我们将使用活细胞成像和来自果蝇大脑的体内电生理记录来定义这些神经元在完整大脑中的特性。利用果蝇基因诱导睡眠的能力提供了一个独特的机会来研究睡眠是否可以作为一种治疗方法来减缓或减轻与退行性疾病相关的认知障碍。因此，我们将确定在帕金森病和阿尔茨海默病的果蝇模型中诱导睡眠是否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.