Late feeding in the active period decreases slow-wave activity

AimsSleep and feeding behaviors closely interact to maintain energy homeostasis. While it is known that sleep disorders can lead to various metabolic issues such as insulin resistance, the mechanism for this effect is poorly understood. We thus investigated whether different feeding rhythms during the active period affect sleep-wake regulation.Main methodsFor 2 weeks, mice were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 feeding schedules as follows: free access to lab chow during the active period (ZT12-24, Ad-lib group), free access to lab chow during the first half of the active period (ZT12-18; Morning group), or free access to lab chow during the second half of the active period (ZT18-24, Evening group). Food intake, body weight, body temperature, locomotor activity, and sleep were evaluated. The hypothalamus and cerebral cortex were examined post-mortem.Key findingsNo alterations in food intake or body weight were observed among the 3 groups. The Evening group showed lower slow-wave activity (SWA) than the other 2 groups, in addition to higher expression of orexin mRNA in the hypothalamus and higher concentrations of dopamine and its metabolites in the cerebral cortex. AMPK phosphorylation was increased in the hypothalamus of mice in the Evening group; however, AMPK inhibition had no effect on SWA.SignificanceWe concluded that late feeding reduces SWA in NREM sleep via a mechanism that involves orexin-mediated arousal in the hypothalamus and elevated monoamines in the cerebral cortex. These data have important implications for the relationship between sleep-wake disturbances and metabolic disorders.