Luis de Lecea

Stanford School of Medicine, USA

Abstract

[O18] Optogenetic control of neuropeptide activity and arousal

We identified and initially characterized the hypocretins as two hypothalamic peptides derived from the same precursor with neuroexcitatory activity (de Lecea L, et al (1998). Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95:322-327). During the last decade, cumulative studies have demonstrated a key role for the hypocretin peptides in arousal stability and in brain reward function. However, the precise mechanisms by which hypocretins stabilize arousal are unknown. We recently introduced the light-activated channel, channelrhodopsin 2 in Hcrt neurons, and demonstrated that their activity is sufficient to induce sleep-to wake transitions (Adamantidis et al., (2007). Nature 450:420-424). We have now extended our optogenetic manipulations to other hypothalamic cell groups to deconstruct and control peptidergic activity in vivo.

Biography

Dr. de Lecea has trained in the Universities of Barcelona, Louvain, Berlin and The Scripps Research Institute. During his career he has identified two neuropeptide systems involved in arousal: cortistatin and the hypocretins. He has published more than 100 papers, some in the top journals, on the functional characterization of these and related peptides. He currently is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University.