Physiologie, Rolle und Neuropharmakologie des Gähnens

Zusammenfassung

Gähnen ist ein normales physiologisches Ereignis, das in drei unterschiedliche Phasen eingeteilt werden kann: eine lange inspiratorische Phase, einen kurzen Höhepunkt und eine schnelle Ausatemphase.

Der Grund für das Gähnen ist noch nicht klar definiert. Gähnen ist ein halb-freiwilliger Vorgang, der die Aufmerksamkeit erhöht und darauf abzielt, eine Weckreaktion hervorzurufen, wenn Schläfrigkeit auftritt. Eventuell spielt das Gähnen zusätzlich eine wichtige Rolle bei der sozialen Kommunikation. Die Neuropharmakologie des Gähnens ist sehr komplex und die Mechanismen sind noch wenig verstanden. Das Gähnen steht unter Kontrolle von verschiedenen Neurotransmittern, deren wichtigster Dopamin ist. Eine Modellvorstellung wäre, dass Dopamin die Oxytocin-Produktion im Nucleus paraventricularis des Hypothalamus aktivieren könnte und Oxytocin dann cholinerge Neurotransmission im Hippocampus auslöst. Acetylcholin könnte dann das Gähnen über muskarinerge Rezeptoren in den Effektororganen auslöst. Diese Modellvorstellung ist jedoch stark vereinfacht. Viele andere Moleküle können das Gähnen modulieren, wie z. B. NO, Glutamat, GABA, Serotonin, ACTH, MSH, Sexualhormone und Opioide.

Abstract

Yawning is a physiological event that can be divided into three distinct phases: a long inspiratory phase, a brief acme and a rapid exspiration. The reason for yawning is not yet well defined. However this semi-voluntary event increases vigilance and aims to alert when drowsiness occurs. Yawning may have an important role for social communication. The neuropharmacology of yawning is complex and knowledge of its mechanisms is incomplete. While under the control of several neurotransmitters, yawning is largely affected by dopamine. Dopamine may activate oxytocin production in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, oxytocin may then activate cholinergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus, and finally acetylcholine might induce yawning via the muscarinic receptors of the effectors. In fact, this scheme is simplified. Many other molecules can modulate yawning, such as nitric oxide, glutamate, GABA, serotonine, ACTH, MSH, sexual hormones and opium derivate peptides.

Schlüsselwörter

Gähnen - Neuropharmakologie - Neurotransmitter - Schlaf

Keywords

Yawning - Neuropharmacology - Neurotransmitters - Sleep

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