Читать книгу Dental Management of Sleep Disorders - Ronald Attanasio - Страница 47

This is not a classic neurotransmitter. It may build up over time associated with ongoing activity and is a by‐product of degradation from adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The concentration of adenosine increases with prolonged wakefulness, increasing both the depth and duration of sleep, and decreases during sleep [40]. It is proposed that it may be a key neurotransmitter in the homeostatic regulation of sleep. It seems to have an inhibitory effect in the central nervous system on acetylcholine and glutamate. In addition, it has the role of facilitating sleep along with GABA. Its role in promoting sleep is exemplified by the fact that caffeine (methylxanthine) blocks adenosine receptors thus explaining the role of caffeine as a stimulant.