Sleep loss induces cholesterol-associated myelin dysfunction

R Reyila Simayi (School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino) E Eleonora Ficiarà (School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino) O Oluwatomisin Faniyan (Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino) A Antonio Cerdán Cerdá (Instituto de Neurociencias (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Miguel Hernández)) A Amina Aboufares El Alaoui (Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino) R Rosamaria Fiorini (Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University) A Adele Cutignano (Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare–Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche) F Fabiana Piscitelli (Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare–Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche) A Aroa S. Maroto (Instituto de Neurociencias (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Miguel Hernández)) A Alexandra Santos (Instituto de Neurociencias (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Miguel Hernández)) F Federico Del Gallo (School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino) L Luisa de Vivo (School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino) S Silvia De Santis (Instituto de Neurociencias (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Miguel Hernández)) M Michele Bellesi (Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino)

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of sleep deprivation poses a public health challenge in modern society. Manifestations of reduced alertness, such as slowed reaction times and increased errors, are well-documented behavioral indicators of sleep loss (SL). Yet, the biological consequences of sleep deprivation and their role in behavioral impairment remain elusive. Our study reveals significant effects of sleep deprivation on myelin integrity. As a result, we identify increased conduction delays in nerve signal propagation, hindered interhemispheric synchronization, and impaired cognitive and motor performance associated with SL. By profiling oligodendrocyte transcriptome and lipidome, we observe SL-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and lipid metabolism dysregulation, particularly affecting cholesterol homeostasis. Boosting cholesterol transport to myelin sheaths prevents SL effects on nerve signal propagation and behavior. Our findings highlight a possible role of oligodendrocyte cholesterol dysregulation in behavioral deficits associated with SL and unveil a novel target for intervention.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 123, Issue 4
Published January 27, 2026
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (14)

R

Reyila Simayi

School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino

E

Eleonora Ficiarà

School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino

O

Oluwatomisin Faniyan

Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino

A

Antonio Cerdán Cerdá

Instituto de Neurociencias (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Miguel Hernández)

A

Amina Aboufares El Alaoui

Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino

R

Rosamaria Fiorini

Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University

A

Adele Cutignano

Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare–Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche

F

Fabiana Piscitelli

Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare–Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche

A

Aroa S. Maroto

Instituto de Neurociencias (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Miguel Hernández)

A

Alexandra Santos

Instituto de Neurociencias (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Miguel Hernández)

F

Federico Del Gallo

School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino

L

Luisa de Vivo

School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino

S

Silvia De Santis

Instituto de Neurociencias (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Miguel Hernández)

M

Michele Bellesi

Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino