Arousal-related behaviors

Arousal-related behaviors" refers to a collection of behaviors and physiological states, including wakefulness, vigilance, attention, motivation, and reactions to salient stimuli, that are regulated by multiple brainstem and hypothalamic neurotransmitter systems. Principal neurotransmitter systems involved are norepinephrine (from the locus coeruleus), acetylcholine (from brainstem and basal forebrain), dopamine (from substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area), serotonin (from raphe nuclei), histamine (from tuberomammillary nucleus), and neuropeptides such as orexin and relaxin-3[1][3][4][5][7]. Each of these systems acts on multiple receptor types and targets widespread brain regions to modulate both cortical activation and behavior in response to internal and external cues. “Arousal-related behaviors” is therefore a descriptive term for a broad physiological function rather than a single molecular target for therapeutic intervention.

Other names

ArousalArousal states