EEG effect of orexin A in freely moving rats

Orexin A and orexin B are neuropeptides produced by a group of neurons located in the lateral hypothalamus which send widespread projections virtually to the whole neuraxis. Several studies indicated that orexins play a crucial role in the sleep-wake regulation and in the pathomechanism of the sleep disorder narcolepsy. As no data are available related to the EEG effects of orexin A in healthy, freely moving rats, the aim of the present experiments was to analyze EEG power changes in the generally used frequency bands after intracerebroventricular orexin A administration. Orexin A administration (0.84 and 2.8 nM/rat) differently affected fronto-occipital EEG waves in the different frequency bands recorded for 24 hours. Delta (1-4 Hz) and alpha (10-16 Hz) power decreased, while theta (4-10 Hz) and beta (16-48 Hz) power increased. Decrease of the delta power was followed by a rebound in case of the higher orexin A dose. This complex picture might be explained by the activation of several systems by the orexin A administration. Among these systems, cortical and thalamic circuits as well as the role of the neurons containing corticotrophin-releasing factor might be of significant importance.