A group of brain cells senses temperature to promote wakefulness through CNMa signals

Prolonged increases in ambient temperature induce a reversible sleep reduction and impaired sleep consolidation in Drosophila.

• Ambient temperature shifts can affect sleep patterns in both humans and Drosophila.
• Activation of anterior cells (ACs) in response to higher temperatures is linked to increased wakefulness.
• ACs form connections with specific posterior dorsal neuron 1 (DN1p) neurons, which release acetylcholine.
• The DN1p neurons promote wakefulness by releasing CNMamide neuropeptides.
• CNMamide inhibits Dh44-positive pars intercerebralis (PI) neurons through specific receptors.
• The AC-DN1p-PI neural circuit integrates temperature signals into sleep regulation.

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