Screening and therapeutic methods for promoting wakefulness and sleep

摘要

The invention provides methods of screening for a compound for promoting wakefulness in a mammal. The method is practiced by providing a compound that is a PrRP receptor agonist and determining the ability of the compound to promote wakefulness. Also provided by the invention are methods of screening for a compound for promoting sleep in a mammal. The methods are practiced by providing a compound that is a PrRP receptor antagonist and determining the ability of the compound to promote sleep. In addition, the invention provides a method of promoting wakefulness in a mammal. The method is practiced by administering to a mammal an effective amount of a PrRP receptor agonist. The invention further provides a method of promoting sleep in a mammal. The method is practiced by administering to a mammal an effective amount of a PrRP receptor antagonist.