Drugs that affect the body's internal clock influence sleep patterns and emotions

Synthetic ligands targeting REV-ERBα and β regulate sleep architecture and emotional behavior in mice.

• REV-ERB agonists induce wakefulness while reducing REM and slow-wave sleep.
• Administration of REV-ERB agonists is associated with decreased anxiety-like behavior.
• REV-ERBβ-null mice exhibit increased anxiety-like behavior with no effect from REV-ERB agonists.
• These findings suggest that targeting REV-ERB may contribute to potential therapies for sleep disorders and anxiety.

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