Sleep deprivation increases A(1) adenosine receptor density in the rat brain.

Adenosine, increasing after sleep deprivation and acting via the A(1) adenosine receptor (A(1)AR), is likely a key factor in the homeostatic control of sleep. This study examines the impact of sleep deprivation on A(1)AR density in different parts of the rat brain with [(3)H]CPFPX autoradiography. Binding of [(3)H]CPFPX was significantly increased in parietal cortex (PAR) (7%), thalamus (11%) and caudate-putamen (9%) after 24 h of sleep deprivation compared to a control group with an undisturbed circadian sleep-wake rhythm. Sleep deprivation of 12 h changed receptor density regionally between -5% and +9% (motor cortex (M1), statistically significant) compared to the circadian control group. These results suggest cerebral A(1)ARs are involved in effects of sleep deprivation and the regulation of sleep. The increase of A(1)AR density could serve the purpose of not only maintaining the responsiveness to increased adenosine levels but also amplifying the effect of sleep deprivation and is in line with a sleep-induced homoeostatic reorganization at the synaptic level.