Orexin-A (also called hypocretin-1) is a 33-amino acid neuropeptide discovered in 1998 that fundamentally changed our understanding of sleep-wake regulation. The discovery that narcolepsy is caused by loss of orexin neurons transformed it from a curiosity into one of the most therapeutically important neuropeptide systems.
Dosage Information (Research Use)
Research: ICV injection in animal models, typically 1-10 nmol. Intranasal delivery under investigation for human use. No approved dosing protocol. Research compound only.
Reconstitution & Handling
Reconstitute in sterile saline or aCSF for research use.
Half-Life & Pharmacokinetics
~30 minutes (plasma)
Reported Observations in Literature
Increased wakefulness and alertness. Potential appetite stimulation. Cardiovascular effects (increased blood pressure and heart rate) at high doses. May affect stress responses through HPA axis activation.
Key Research References
- Sakurai T et al. “Orexins and orexin receptors: a family of hypothalamic neuropeptides and G protein-coupled receptors.” Cell. 1998;92:573-85