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Neuroendocrinology (WPI-IIIS) Lab
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A neuroendocrinology lab that explores the relationship between hormones and sleep.
AboutAbout the lab
Unraveling the link between sleep and the whole body through hormones.
The Izawa Lab (neuroendocrinology) studies how the endocrine system, through hormones, controls life activities including sleep.
Neurons in the hypothalamus of the brain synthesize peptide hormones such as orexin and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), and regulate sleep-wake cycles and energy metabolism.
Recently, it has become clear that these neurons are also controlled by blood-borne hormones from peripheral organs, such as insulin and leptin.
The lab therefore aims to elucidate these mechanisms in the whole living body, not just in the brain.
The research combines modern neuroscience techniques with painstaking observation of animal behavior.
Key terms
- Hypothalamus
- A deep region of the brain. It contains neurons that regulate physiological functions such as sleep-wake cycles and energy metabolism
- Melanin-concentrating hormone
- MCH. Produced in the lateral hypothalamic area, it has a function unique among hormones: inducing REM sleep
- Suncus (musk shrew)
- A non-rodent laboratory animal established in Japan. It is used to study molecules and behaviors that have been lost in rodents over the course of evolution
ResearchResearch themes
The lab aims to elucidate how the endocrine system, through hormones, controls life activities including sleep, in the whole living body rather than in the brain alone. Its research combines modern neuroscience techniques with painstaking observation of animal behavior.
*Illustrative imageViewing the Brain and the Whole Body Together
The state of the whole body affects the brain, as when we feel sleepy after a full meal, and signals from the brain also regulate the whole body. The lab aims to elucidate the functions that individual neurons and molecules have at the whole-body level.
*Illustrative imageThe Function of Melanin-Concentrating Hormone
In addition to inducing REM sleep, MCH is involved in whole-body energy metabolism, lactation, memory, and emotion. Its sites of action are not yet fully understood. By analyzing brain function from multiple angles with MCH as the central axis, the lab aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which various behaviors influence one another.
*Illustrative imageExpanding Model Animals: The Suncus
Using the suncus (musk shrew), a non-rodent laboratory animal, the lab combines genetic engineering methods such as sensors that visualize specific molecules with light and viral vectors. It aims to reveal molecules and behaviors that have been overlooked in mice.
MembersFaculty
The Izawa Lab's members consist of faculty, secretaries, technical staff, and master's students.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorShuntaro Izawa
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Suncus cf.murinus Satpura NP India” Davidvraju / CC0 (cropped)
- Viewing the Brain and the Whole Body Together: “Brain model 12” John Campbell / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- The Function of Melanin-Concentrating Hormone: “Baby, Sleeping baby, Moscow, Russia” Vyacheslav Argenberg / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Expanding Model Animals: The Suncus: “Suncus murinus Shrew 2” Shyamal / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Sleep Physiology Lab (WPI-IIIS)): “Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder” Uguccioni G, Pallanca O, Golmard J, Dodet P, Herlin B, Leu-Semenescu S, Arnulf I / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes Lab): “Self Monitoring of Blood Glucose” Omstaal / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Lab): “Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Ank Kumar) 03” Ank Kumar / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Anesthesiology Lab): “Clinicians in Intensive Care Unit” Calleamanecer / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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