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Microbes in Mouse Brains Challenge Sleep Science Paradigms

9/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Washington State University researchers report peptidoglycan is present in mouse brains and fluctuates with sleep cycles, challenging brain-only sleep models.
The findings describe a holobiont condition in which gut microbes influence sleep regulation and interact with neurological systems.
Sleep deprivation alters peptidoglycan levels and sleep-related gene expression, implying microbial effects on sleep, cognition, and behavior.

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Story summary

Washington State University researchers report peptidoglycan is present in mouse brains and fluctuates with sleep cycles, challenging brain-only sleep models.
The findings describe a holobiont condition in which gut microbes influence sleep regulation and interact with neurological systems.
Sleep deprivation alters peptidoglycan levels and sleep-related gene expression, implying microbial effects on sleep, cognition, and behavior.