Orexin is a 'master controller' of the sleep wake control system. It stimulates the wake-promoting system and stabilises the switching between wake and sleep. The unique role of orexin makes it an attractive target for manipulating sleep. Blocking orexin has been shown to be an effective strategy in insomnia, and drugs that block orexin, like suvorexant (Belsomra), are now available. Orexin replacement will also play a key role in managing narcolepsy in the future.

Dr Moira Junge (Health Psychologist) and Dr David Cunnington (Sleep Physician) host the monthly podcast, Sleep Talk, talking all things sleep.

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Audio Timeline:

• 00:00 - 01:25 Introduction
• 01:25 - 07:43 What's news in sleep?
  • 01:25 - 02:53 SCN2a gene mutation / sleep for carers
  • 02:53 - 04:14 Sleep in Australians - Sleep Health Foundation research
  • 04:14 - 05:17 World Sleep Day - Sleep Health Foundation campaign
  • 05:17 - 07:13 Melatonin - TGA registration
  • 07:13 - 07:43 Sleep walking research
• 07:43 -  36:44 Theme - Orexin & Suvorexant
  • 07:43 - 12:07 Sleep wake regulation and role of orexin
  • 12:07 - 25:51 Guest interview - Daniel Hoyer: Orexin
  • 25:51 - 34:05 Clinical use of suvorexant (Belsomra)
  • 34:05 - 36:44 Orexin replacement in narcolepsy
• 36:44 - 37:56 Clinical tip of the month - Map sleep symptoms to brain systems
• 37:56 - 37:58 Pick of the month:
  • 37:56 - 40:35 Moira - Insomniac City - Book
  • 40:35 - 44:46 David - Sleep in Primitive Societies - journal article
• 44:46 - 46:52 What's coming up in sleep?

Next episode: April 3rd 2017 - Headaches and Sleep

Links mentioned in the podcast:

• SCN2a gene mutation
• Australian Sleep Health Survey
• Sleep Health Foundation - Swap screen time for sleep time
• Melatonin - TGA registration in Australia
• Melatonin for sleep - SleepHub post
• Sleep walking research
• Prof Daniel Hoyer - Key research publications
• Suvorexant (Belsomra) approval - FDA (United States)
• Suvorexant (Belsomra) - US Consumer Reports
• Suvorexant (Belsomra) - The New Daily on Belsomra in Australia
• Consumer Medicine Information on Belsomra - Australia
• Medication for Insomnia - SleepHub post
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia - SleepHub post
• Medication for narcolepsy - SleepHub post
• Neurological Regulation of Sleep - Nature paper by Saper et al
• Suvorexant - SleepHub post
• Orexin - SleepHub post
• Assessing Sleep Disorders - Video
• Insomniac City - Book
• Sleep in Primitive Societies - American Journal of Human Biology
• Sleep Down Under 2017 meeting - Auckland Oct 25-28
• Sleep 2017 meeting - Boston June 3-7
• World Sleep Congress 2017 - Prague October 7-11

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