Melanin-Concentrating Hormone and Sleep

S. R. Pandi-Perumal, MSc, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Somnogen Canada Inc, a Canadian Corporation. He is a well-recognized sleep researcher, both nationally and internationally, and has authored over 200 publications. His general area of research interest includes sleep and biological rhythms. He is a well-known editor in the field of sleep medicine and has edited over 25 volumes dealing with various sleep-related topics. He received an honorable mention in the New York Times in 2004. The India International Friendship Society awarded him the prestigious Bharat Gaurav award on January 12, 2013. The Bharat Gaurav Award is usually recognition of a person who has made achievements in a particular field, which in turn will put a positive impact on the society at large. Pablo Torterolo is Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Neurosciences at the University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay. He has completed post-doctoral studies at the University of Bologna and at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is currently Associate Professor of the Department of Physiology of the School of Medicine, University of the Republic. He is also Professor of the Basic Sciences Development Program (PEDECIBA) and Researcher the National Researchers' System. His research has been awarded with the Prize of the National Academy of Medicine and with the Elio García-Austt Award. His studies focus on the neurobiology and pathophysiology of sleep. Jaime Monti is Doctor of Medicine at the University of the Republic, Uruguay. He has completed post-doctoral studies at the National Institute of Health, USA. He is full Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutic and the School of Medicine of the Republic University, Professor of the Basic Sciences Development Program (PEDECIBA) and Researcher the National Researchers' System. His research has been awarded with the Claude Bernard Prize (France government) and with the Schering Award for Basic Sleep Research. He is an international recognized expert in the neuropharmacology of sleep and wakefulness, with more than a hundred of papers in this topic.

1. Neuroanatomical structure of the MCH system. - 2. Projections of the MCH system to structures involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness.- 3. MCH and the Orexin system - reciprocal influences.- 4. Optogenetic stimulation of MCH neurons.- 5- Role of MCH in REM sleep control.- 6. MCH, REM sleep and the monoaminergic system.- 7. MCH and depression.- 8. MCH receptor 1 antagonists: anxiolytic/antidepressant potential in animal models.- 9. Cannabinoidsand the MCH system.- 10. MCH receptors and thermoregulation.- 11. Sleep during the postpartum period. Role of MCH.- 12. MCH, sleep and neuroendocrine functions.- 13. MCH, pain and sleep.- 14. MCH and hypersomnia.