Definition of "hypocretin" [hypocretin]

• Either of the peptide hormones orexin (noun)

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• "The gene turned out to be a receptor for a neurotransmitter called hypocretin or orexin (it has two different names because it was discovered at two different research labs the same year and named independently by both)."
• "What we know so far is that a previously unknown neurotransmitter a chemical that nerve cells release to stimulate other nerve cells called hypocretin or orexin has been found in the lateral hypothalamus, a region of the brain known to be important in the control of certain basic body functions such as appetite."
• "There is also some evidence that a brain chemical called hypocretin plays a role in narcolepsy."