An array of neuromodulators, including monoamines and
neuropeptides, regulate most behavioural and physiological
traits. In the past decade, dramatic progress has been made
in mapping neuromodulatory circuits, in analysing circuit
dynamics, and interrogating circuit function using
pharmacogenetic, optogenetic and imaging methods This review
will focus on several distinct neural networks
(acetylcholine/GABA/glutamate; histamine/GABA;
orexin/glutamate; and relaxin-3/GABA) that originate from
neural hubs that regulate wakefulness and related attentional
and cognitive processes, and highlight approaches that have
identified dual transmitter roles in these behavioural
functions. Modulation of these different neural networks
might be effective treatments of diseases related to
arousal/sleep dysfunction and of cognitive dysfunction in
psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.
