Squirrel brain holds key to sleep
A new discovery has been unraveled by scientists at the Institute of Arctic Biology in Fairbanks, Alaska, namely that the Arctic Ground Squirrel possesses a brain cell “switch” that triggers hibernation. The squirrel’s hibernation switch is in essence a receptor on brain cells for the neurotransmitter adenosine, which builds up gradually during the day to […]
A new discovery has been unraveled by scientists at the Institute of Arctic Biology in Fairbanks, Alaska, namely that the Arctic Ground Squirrel possesses a brain cell “switch” that triggers hibernation. The squirrel’s hibernation switch is in essence a receptor on brain cells for the neurotransmitter adenosine, which builds up gradually during the day to ultimately sends the animal to sleep at night. Researchers found that the A1 adenosine receptor was the key to hibernation, and that it can be blocked or stimulated by injecting a chemical into the brain of the squirrel. The discovery could assist in finding a way to send humans into hibernation-like states, which would benefit surgeons while performing life-saving operations.
