Neurochemistry of Sleep and Wakefulness

Book excerpt: Pharmacological approaches to our understanding of sleep have been at the forefront of sleep research for many years. Traditional techniques have included the use of pharmacological agonists and antagonists, as well as transmitter-specific lesions. These have been enhanced by the introduction of molecular genetics and the use of transgenes and targeted gene deletion. Neurochemistry of Sleep and Wakefulness is an exceptional, single source of information on the role of the major mammalian neurotransmitter systems involved in the regulation of sleep and waking. With contributions from internationally recognized experts, this book clearly describes how researchers have made use of the myriad techniques in their armamentarium to characterize the role of a given neurotransmitter in the regulation of sleep and waking. Suitable for experimental and clinical pharmacologists, the book will have wider appeal to sleep researchers, psychiatrists and any professional interested in the interdisciplinary areas of neurobiology and pharmacology.