The Metabotropic Glutamate 5 Receptor in Sleep and Wakefulness: Focus on the Cortico-Thalamo-Cortical Oscillations

Sleep is an essential innate but complex behaviour which is ubiquitous in the animal kingdom. Our knowledge of the distinct neural circuit mechanisms that regulate sleep and wake states in the brain are, however, still limited. It is therefore important to understand how these circuits operate during health and disease. This review will highlight the function of mGlu5 receptors within the thalamocortical circuitry in physiological and pathological sleep states. We will also evaluate the potential of targeting mGlu5 receptors as a therapeutic strategy for sleep disorders that often co-occur with epileptic seizures.

Automated summary

Sleep is a complex behavior found in all animals, but our understanding of the neural circuits regulating sleep and wakefulness is limited. This review focuses on the role of mGlu5 receptors in the thalamocortical circuitry during normal and pathological sleep states. It also explores the potential of targeting mGlu5 receptors as a therapeutic approach for sleep disorders associated with epileptic seizures.