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Cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART) and food intake: Behavior in search of anatomy
Author(s) -
Broberger Christian
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
drug development research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.582
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1098-2299
pISSN - 0272-4391
DOI - 10.1002/1098-2299(200010)51:2<124::aid-ddr7>3.0.co;2-p
Subject(s) - cart , cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript , neuropeptide , amphetamine , food intake , brainstem , neuroscience , biology , endocrine system , endocrinology , medicine , dopamine , receptor , hormone , mechanical engineering , engineering
Recent studies on the regulation of food intake have demonstrated important roles for several neuropeptides. Among these, putative peptides encoded by the cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART) have received much attention as anorexigenic agents. CART is found in several key cell populations, both within and outside of the brain, which have been implicated in the control of food intake and energy metabolism. These include the vast neuronal network operated by the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, as well as the mesolimbic regions, the brainstem and vagus nerve, several endocrine organs, and the autonomic nervous system. However, the functional studies on CART peptide‐induced inhibition of feeding are based on intracerebroventricular injections, and do not point out a specific site of action. The present review summarizes the potential anatomical substrates for this function, and discusses what is known about CART in relation to other peptides implicated in the control of food intake. Drug Dev. Res. 51:124–142, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.