Neurological Modulations of Sleep: Mechanisms and Function in Sleep Health

Sleep is necessary for the optimal functioning of many biological processes. Although the need for sleep is well understood, millions of Americans report obtaining far below the amount recommended by the National Sleep Foundation. This insufficient sleep has been found to lead to poor metabolic health, particularly through increased food intake. However, what drives this increased food intake, such as alterations in central brain regulation or peripheral hormones that may influence hunger, is not entirely clear. This chapter describes findings from controlled laboratory studies in both animals and humans, linking sleep and the central and peripheral physiological pathways of hunger and satiety. Although the link between insufficient sleep and poor metabolic health is well defined, how these pathways interact to influence hunger and satiety during insufficient sleep in real-world settings is less clear.