Sex-dimorphic functions of orexin in neuropsychiatric disorders

Abstract

The orexin system regulates a variety of physiological functions, including the sleep-wake cycle, addiction, foraging behavior, stress and cognitive functioning. Orexin levels in central and peripheral are related to the pathogenesis of many diseases, most notably the narcolepsy, eating disorders, stress-related psychiatric disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, it has been reported that the orexin system is distinctly sexually dimorphic, and is strongly associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we analyzed advancements in the sex differences in the orexin system and their connection to psychoneurological conditions. Considering the scarcity of research in this domain, more research is imperative to reveal the underlying mechanisms.

Keywords

• Orexin
• Sexual dimorphism
• Psychoneurological disorders