Melanin-concentrating hormone-expressing neurons adjust slow-wave sleep dynamics to catalyze paradoxical (REM) sleep.

Experimental studies over the last 15 years established a role in sleep of the tuberal hypothalamic neurons that express melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH). Controversies still remain regarding their actual contribution to both slow-wave sleep (SWS) and paradoxical sleep (PS also known as REM sleep) or PS alone.