What is Orexin-A?
A brain neuropeptide that keeps people awake; intranasal orexin-A has been tried in small narcolepsy studies.
Orexin-A in the library · · Human Trials · What are peptides?
0 registered trials · 4 indexed papers · 21 human / 28 animal studies
From the PeptideWhiz library entry. "As described" sections summarize claims made in the sources; they are not PeptideWhiz endorsements.
What it is
Orexin-A (hypocretin-1) is described as a 33-amino-acid neuropeptide made in the hypothalamus that stabilizes wakefulness. People with narcolepsy type 1 have lost orexin neurons.
Mechanism (as described)
- It activates OX1 and OX2 receptors; orexin-B is a related peptide that prefers OX2.
Evidence (as described)
- Small studies of intranasal orexin-A in narcolepsy reported some effects on sleep and attention (Baier et al., 2011; Weinhold et al., 2014); a 2024 systematic review summarizes the area (Thomaz et al., 2024).
Status
Not approved.
Peer-reviewed studies (4)
| Paper | Authors | Journal | Year | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intranasal orexin A modulates sympathetic vascular tone: a pilot study in healthy male humans | Meusel M et al. | Journal of neurophysiology | 2022 | Randomized Controlled Trial |
| The effect of intranasal orexin-A (hypocretin-1) on sleep, wakefulness and attention in narcolepsy with cataplexy | Weinhold SL et al. | Behavioural brain research | 2014 | Randomized Controlled Trial |
| Effects of intranasal hypocretin-1 (orexin A) on sleep in narcolepsy with cataplexy | Baier PC et al. | Sleep medicine | 2011 | Randomized Controlled Trial |
| Olfactory dysfunction in patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy is restored by intranasal Orexin A (Hypocretin-1) | Baier PC et al. | Brain : a journal of neurology | 2008 | Randomized Controlled Trial |
More cited research
- Additive effects of orexin B and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on LL-37-mediated antimicrobial activities (2011, human observational)
- Circulating Levels of Orexin-A, Nesfatin-1, Agouti-Related Peptide, and Neuropeptide Y in Patients with Hyperthyroidism (None, human trial (non-randomized))
- Glucagon regulates orexin A secretion in humans and rodents (None, human RCT)
- Single cell transcriptomics of cerebrospinal fluid cells from patients with recent-onset narcolepsy (2024, human observational)
- Central Orexin A Affects Reproductive Axis by Modulation of Hypothalamic Kisspeptin/Neurokinin B/Dynorphin Secreting Neurons in the Male Wistar Rats (2018, animal)
- Orexin A regulates cardiovascular responses in stress-induced hypertensive rats (2013, animal)
- Orexin-A hyperphagia: hindbrain participation in consummatory feeding responses (2009, animal)
- The orexin system in the enteric nervous system of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) (2014, animal)
Conditions researched
Related compounds
- ACTH (Corticotropin)
- ANP (Atrial Natriuretic Peptide)
- Adrenomedullin
- Amycretin
- Angiotensin II
- BNP (Nesiritide)
- Bromantane (non-peptide)
- CRH (Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone)
- Calcitonin
- Carnosine
FAQ
What is Orexin-A?
A brain neuropeptide that keeps people awake; intranasal orexin-A has been tried in small narcolepsy studies.
How many registered human trials study Orexin-A?
The PeptideWhiz trial index lists 0 registered trials for Orexin-A.
How much published research exists on Orexin-A?
The PeptideWhiz paper index links 4 PubMed papers to Orexin-A; by study type, 21 human and 28 animal studies.
Which conditions is Orexin-A researched for?
Sleep problems (incl. insomnia on peptides).
Research and education only. Not medical advice. No dosing guidance. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov registry and PubMed via the PeptideWhiz index (204,289 studies).