Premium
The involvement of neuropeptides in evolution, signaling, behavioral regulation and psychopathology: focus on vasopressin
Author(s) -
Landgraf Rainer,
Holsboer Florian
Publication year - 2005
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/ddr.20022
Subject(s) - neuropeptide , vasopressin , neuroscience , neurotransmitter systems , psychology , vasopressin receptor , neurotransmitter agents , neurotransmitter , receptor , biology , central nervous system , endocrinology , dopamine , biochemistry , antagonist
This brief commentary focuses on the involvement of neuropeptides in a variety of brain functions. As exemplified with vasopressin, neuropeptides are released within distinct brain areas to contribute to regionally and temporally varying modes of neuromodulator and neurotransmitter actions, thus providing a theoretically unlimited variability in interneuronal signaling. As primary products of protein biosynthesis, neuropeptides and their receptors are critical substrates for the evolution of behavior, including emotionality. Particularly its capability of responding to stressful stimuli and mediating genetic polymorphisms make the central release of vasopressin a key process for converging (i.e., environmentally and genetically driven) behavioral regulation. This release along a continuum from basal to very high levels in the extracellular fluid of distinct brain areas explains the wide spectrum of vasopressin effects in the brain, including its role in psychopathology. Drug Dev. Res. 65:185–190, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.