Oleamide metabolism

Oleamide is an endogenous fatty acid primary amide derived from oleic acid, most notably accumulating in the cerebrospinal fluid during sleep deprivation and inducing physiological sleep in animals[4][5][6]. It functions as a neuromodulator, altering activity in multiple neurotransmitter pathways, including serotonin, GABA, cannabinoid, and acetylcholine systems[2][5]. In vivo, oleamide is rapidly metabolized by the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), and inhibitors of this enzyme can elevate oleamide levels with physiological consequences[4][6]. The molecule plays roles in sleep regulation, mood, neurogenesis, and potentially neurodegenerative diseases, but "oleamide metabolism" as a term refers to the breakdown and biosynthesis of oleamide rather than a protein or receptor itself, and thus is not a direct therapeutic target[4][5][6].

Other names

cis-9,10-octadecenamidefatty acid primary amideendogenous sleep-inducing lipidFAPA

Activation or modulation of cannabinoid receptor CB1 (agonist) Positive allosteric modulation of serotonin receptors (5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, 5-HT1A) Negative allosteric modulation of serotonin 5-HT7 receptor Modulation of GABA-A receptor function (biphasic modulation of chloride currents) Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), increasing endogenous levels of oleamide and related fatty acid amides