As summarized in Figure 1, a possible imbalance of the hypocretin system with a consequent decrease in the interaction between orexins and its receptors, could reduce its neuroprotective action against the microglia, causing it to trigger a proinflammatory M1 phenotype, with the consequent formation of interleukins, cytokines, and ROS typical of an inflammatory response, which could lead to a greater probability of developing neurodegenerative diseases. The gene discussed is HCRT; the disease is neurodegenerative disease.