Rabbit Polyclonal HCRT Antibody

Hypocretin (HCRT), also known as orexin, is a neuropeptide produced by neurons in the lateral hypothalamus. It plays a critical role in regulating sleep-wake cycles, appetite, energy homeostasis, and reward pathways. HCRT antibodies are tools used in research and diagnostics to detect and quantify HCRT peptides or their receptors (HCRTR1/2) in biological samples. In clinical contexts, these antibodies are particularly relevant to studying narcolepsy type 1. a disorder characterized by the loss of HCRT-producing neurons, leading to undetectable or low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HCRT levels. While narcolepsy is often linked to autoimmune mechanisms, HCRT antibodies themselves are not typically autoantibodies targeting HCRT but rather diagnostic reagents to measure HCRT deficiency. Research also explores HCRT antibodies in neurodegenerative diseases, obesity, and addiction due to HCRT's broader physiological roles. Therapeutic development, including HCRT receptor agonists/antagonists, leverages antibody-based studies to understand HCRT pathway dynamics. Overall, HCRT antibodies are vital for elucidating the neurobiology of sleep and related disorders.