The how and why of sleep: Motor theory and catecholamine hypothesis

Sleep entails profound changes in the brain and body, marked by altered states of consciousness and reduced somatic and autonomic motor activity. Regarding "how" sleep is regulated, whole-brain screening revealed large sleep-control networks spanning the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. We unify diverse experimental evidence under a "motor theory," in which the sleep-control mechanism is integral to somatic and autonomic motor circuits. Regarding the "why" question, sleep deprivation impairs cognition, emotion, metabolism, and immunity. We propose catecholamine (dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline) inactivation as the fundamental biological process underlying sleep's numerous benefits. Beyond brain arousal and motor activity, catecholamines regulate metabolism and immunity; their sleep-dependent suppression yields wide-ranging advantages, promoting repair and rejuvenation. Furthermore, catecholaminergic neurons are metabolically vulnerable; their need for rest and recovery may drive homeostatic sleep pressure. Together, the motor theory offers a unifying framework for sleep control, while the catecholamine hypothesis posits a core mechanism mediating sleep's multifaceted benefits.