Pharmacology of Sleep: Adenosine

Sleep is essential for the physical and mental well-being of the individual. Sleep disorders often lead to impaired daytime performance. Research has focused on developing new therapeutic strategies, utilizing an increasing knowledge of the brain regions, neurotransmitters, and related molecular/cellular mechanisms that regulate sleep–wake behavior. In this article, we review the current status of pharmacologic agents and their molecular targets used in sleep therapy, followed by a more extensive description of developments concerning adenosinergic mechanisms of sleep regulation. Finally, we discuss the prospects of using adenosine receptors or transporters as therapeutic targets for treating sleep disorders.