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Current Pharmaceutical Design

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1381-6128
ISSN (Online): 1873-4286

Ghrelin as a Neuroprotective and Palliative Agent in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease

Author(s): Vanessa V. dos Santos, Ana Lúcia S. Rodrigues, Thereza C. De Lima, Susana R. de Barioglio, Rita Raisman-Vozari and Rui D. Prediger

Volume 19, Issue 38, 2013

Page: [6773 - 6790] Pages: 18

DOI: 10.2174/13816128113199990411

Abstract

Ghrelin is a gastric hormone that stimulates growth hormone (GH) secretion and food intake to regulate energy homeostasis and body weight by binding to its receptor, GH secretagogue receptor (GHSR1a), which is most highly expressed in the pituitary and hypothalamus. Nowadays there is considerable evidence showing that the GHSR1a is also expressed in numerous extra-hypothalamic neuronal populations and the physiological role of ghrelin is by far wider than considered before including learning and memory, anxiety, depression and neuroprotection. The present review attempts to provide a comprehensive picture of the role of ghrelin in the central nervous system and to highlight recent findings showing its potential as an innovative therapeutic agent in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Keywords: Ghrelin, neuroprotection, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, learning and memory, anxiety, depression


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