Differential sleep/wake response and sex differences following acute suvorexant, MK-1064 and zolpidem administration in the rTg4510 mouse model of tauopathy

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Transgenic mouse models of tauopathy display prominent sleep/wake disturbances which manifest primarily as a hyperarousal phenotype during the active phase, suggesting that tau pathology contributes to sleep/wake changes. However, no study has yet investigated the effect of sleep-promoting compounds in these models. Such information has implications for the use of hypnotics as potential therapeutic tools in tauopathy-related disorders. Experimental Approach: This study examined polysomnographic recordings in 6-6.5-month-old male and female rTg4510 mice following acute administration of suvorexant (50 mg·kg−1), MK-1064 (30 mg·kg−1) or zolpidem (10 mg·kg−1), administere..