HealthAugust 10, 2026
orexin
OR-ek-sin
Definition
A neuropeptide in the brain that plays a critical role in regulating wakefulness, arousal, and appetite.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word 'orexis' meaning 'appetite' or 'desire', the term was coined by researchers in 1998 who initially discovered its role in feeding behavior before realizing its primary importance in sleep-wake regulation.
In the news
The article discusses drugs being developed as orexin receptor agonists, which aim to replace or stimulate the natural orexin signaling that is deficient in patients with narcolepsy.
New in Narcolepsy: Pharmacology Updates
Read the full article ↗Psychiatric Times