Central nervous system arousal

Central nervous system arousal" is a collective term for the physiological and neurochemical processes in the brain and its projections that regulate wakefulness, alertness, attention, and behavioral response to stimuli[1][2]. It primarily involves the ascending reticular activating system, with major contributions from five neurotransmitter systems: norepinephrine (from locus coeruleus), acetylcholine (basal forebrain, pons), dopamine (substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area), serotonin (raphe nuclei), and histamine (tuberomammillary nucleus)[1][2]. These systems are highly redundant and broadly project throughout the cortex, thalamus, and other brain regions, modulating both sensory responsiveness and behavioral readiness. CNS arousal is fundamental to survival and adaptation, but it is not a discrete molecular target for drugs; instead, drugs modulate its components by acting on relevant neurotransmitter receptors and pathways[1][2][3][5][6].

Other names

CNS arousalgeneralized arousalbrain arousal

Modulation of neurotransmitter release or reuptake (e.g., norepinephrine, acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, histamine) Inhibition or stimulation of ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) Engagement or suppression of thalamocortical arousal circuits