Abstract
Galanin is a neuropeptide synthesized in many neuronal types including brainstem norepinephrine-producing cells of the locus coeruleus and the serotonin-producing neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus. Galanin inhibits the firing of rodent norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine neurons and reduces release of these neurotransmitters in forebrain target regions. The distribution of galanin and its receptors and its actions on monoamine signaling has fostered interest in this neuropeptide in the field of behavioral pharmacology and the potential role of galanin in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases such as Alzheimers disease, epilepsy, stroke, and in psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and drug addiction, particularly withdrawal. In rodent models, expression of galanin in brain is altered by various stressors, while administration of galanin can modulate anxiety-like responses to stress. Emerging evidence further supports a role for galanin in the mediation of depression-related behaviors in rodents. Recently, galanin agonists have been shown to decrease behavioral signs of opiate withdrawal, which are thought to result from hyperactivation of brain stress pathways. Studies using genetically modified mice suggest that galanin normally plays a protective role against opiate reinforcement and withdrawal. The present article reviews current evidence on a potential role for galanin in modulating stress-related neural pathways and behaviors, and speculates on the therapeutic potential of targeting this galanin system for emotional disorders and opiate addiction.
Keywords: Galanin, neuropeptides, stress, anxiety, depression, opiate, withdrawal, norepinephrine
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: Galanin: A Novel Therapeutic Target for Depression, Anxiety Disorders and Drug Addiction?
Volume: 5 Issue: 2
Author(s): A. Holmes and M. R. Picciotto
Affiliation:
Keywords: Galanin, neuropeptides, stress, anxiety, depression, opiate, withdrawal, norepinephrine
Abstract: Galanin is a neuropeptide synthesized in many neuronal types including brainstem norepinephrine-producing cells of the locus coeruleus and the serotonin-producing neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus. Galanin inhibits the firing of rodent norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine neurons and reduces release of these neurotransmitters in forebrain target regions. The distribution of galanin and its receptors and its actions on monoamine signaling has fostered interest in this neuropeptide in the field of behavioral pharmacology and the potential role of galanin in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases such as Alzheimers disease, epilepsy, stroke, and in psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and drug addiction, particularly withdrawal. In rodent models, expression of galanin in brain is altered by various stressors, while administration of galanin can modulate anxiety-like responses to stress. Emerging evidence further supports a role for galanin in the mediation of depression-related behaviors in rodents. Recently, galanin agonists have been shown to decrease behavioral signs of opiate withdrawal, which are thought to result from hyperactivation of brain stress pathways. Studies using genetically modified mice suggest that galanin normally plays a protective role against opiate reinforcement and withdrawal. The present article reviews current evidence on a potential role for galanin in modulating stress-related neural pathways and behaviors, and speculates on the therapeutic potential of targeting this galanin system for emotional disorders and opiate addiction.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Holmes A. and Picciotto R. M., Galanin: A Novel Therapeutic Target for Depression, Anxiety Disorders and Drug Addiction?, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2006; 5 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152706776359600
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152706776359600 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system infectious diseases
Infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) can be divided into bacterial, tuberculous, viral, fungal, parasitic infections, etc. Early etiological treatment is often the most crucial means to reduce the mortality rate of patients with central nervous system infections, reduce complications and sequelae, and improve prognosis. The initial clinical ...read more
Trends and perspectives in the rational management of CNS disorders
Central nervous system (CNS) diseases enforce a significant global health burden, driving ongoing efforts to improve our understanding and effectiveness of therapy. This issue investigates current advances in the discipline, focusing on the understanding as well as therapeutic handling of various CNS diseases. The issue covers a variety of diseases, ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Synthetic Cannabinoids as Drugs of Abuse
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Recent Developments in Deception Research
Current Psychiatry Reviews Synthesis and Preliminary Biological Evaluation of New Heterocyclic Carboxamide Models
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery A Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study of Lovastatin for Treating Bipolar Mood Disorder: A 4-Week Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo- Controlled Clinical Trial
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery N-Valproyl-L-Phenylalanine as New Potential Antiepileptic Drug: Synthesis, Characterization and In Vitro Studies on Stability, Toxicity and Anticonvulsant Efficacy
Medicinal Chemistry The Biology of the RNA Binding Protein Guanine-Rich Sequence Binding Factor 1
Current Protein & Peptide Science A Retrospective Study on the Incidence of Seizures among Neurosurgical Patients Who Treated with Imipenem/Cilastatin or Meropenem
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Endocannabinoid System in Neurological Disorders
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Geriatric Psychopharmacology in Acute Settings
Current Psychopharmacology Effect of Neuroinflammation on ABC Transporters: Possible Contribution to Refractory Epilepsy
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Biologically Active Selenophenes and Benzo[b]selenophenes
Current Organic Synthesis Current Progress of Reelin in Development, Inflammation and Tissue Remodeling: From Nervous to Visual Systems
Current Molecular Medicine Functional Evaluation of Neural Stem Cell Differentiation by Single Cell Calcium Imaging
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Research Progress of the UPR Mechanism and its Effect on Improving Foreign Protein Expression
Protein & Peptide Letters Role of Cation-Chloride-Cotransporters (CCC) in Pain and Hyperalgesia
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry GABA Puts a Stop to Pain
Current Drug Targets - CNS & Neurological Disorders Antiepileptic Treatment Strategy in Vascular Malformations
Current Pharmaceutical Design Structure-to-function Relationship of Carbohydrates in the Mechanism of Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs)
Current Organic Chemistry The GABA A Receptor Subunits Heterologously Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry MicroRNAs: Key Players in Microglia and Astrocyte Mediated Inflammation in CNS Pathologies
Current Medicinal Chemistry