Abstract
Brain asymmetry is understood as an anatomical, functional or neurochemical difference between the two hemispheres. It is not a static but rather a dynamic phenomenon in which both environmental and endogenous factors act as modulators. Aging modifies brain asymmetry, and an imbalance in specific asymmetries characterizes some brain disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, infantile autism or Alzheimers disease. However, it is not clear whether these changes are a cause or a consequence of these disorders. Although this phenomenon has been extensively studied, its functional significance is not yet clear, and the neurochemical basis underlying anatomical or functional asymmetries in the brain is still poorly understood. In recent decades intensive research on the behaviour of neuropeptides has revealed asymmetries in their distribution in the brain, and there is evidence that the lateralized patterns of distribution are involved in the regulatory control of some neuropeptidase activities. Therefore, if these enzymatic activities are distributed asymmetrically, their endogenous substrates would presumably be affected in an asymmetrical way, as would the functions they are involved in. Here we review the most significant literature regarding human and animal brain asymmetry involving neuropeptides such as corticotropin-releasing hormone, cholecystokinin, luteinizing hormonereleasing hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and angiotensin II, as well as their neuropeptidases.
Keywords: neurochemical asymmetry, aminopeptidases, environmental factors, neuropeptides, brain disorders
Current Protein & Peptide Science
Title: Neuropeptides, Neuropeptidases and Brain Asymmetry
Volume: 5 Issue: 6
Author(s): Manuel Ramirez, Isabel Prieto, Francisco Vives, Marc de Gasparo and Francisco Alba
Affiliation:
Keywords: neurochemical asymmetry, aminopeptidases, environmental factors, neuropeptides, brain disorders
Abstract: Brain asymmetry is understood as an anatomical, functional or neurochemical difference between the two hemispheres. It is not a static but rather a dynamic phenomenon in which both environmental and endogenous factors act as modulators. Aging modifies brain asymmetry, and an imbalance in specific asymmetries characterizes some brain disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, infantile autism or Alzheimers disease. However, it is not clear whether these changes are a cause or a consequence of these disorders. Although this phenomenon has been extensively studied, its functional significance is not yet clear, and the neurochemical basis underlying anatomical or functional asymmetries in the brain is still poorly understood. In recent decades intensive research on the behaviour of neuropeptides has revealed asymmetries in their distribution in the brain, and there is evidence that the lateralized patterns of distribution are involved in the regulatory control of some neuropeptidase activities. Therefore, if these enzymatic activities are distributed asymmetrically, their endogenous substrates would presumably be affected in an asymmetrical way, as would the functions they are involved in. Here we review the most significant literature regarding human and animal brain asymmetry involving neuropeptides such as corticotropin-releasing hormone, cholecystokinin, luteinizing hormonereleasing hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and angiotensin II, as well as their neuropeptidases.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Ramirez Manuel, Prieto Isabel, Vives Francisco, de Gasparo Marc and Alba Francisco, Neuropeptides, Neuropeptidases and Brain Asymmetry, Current Protein & Peptide Science 2004; 5 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203043379350
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203043379350 |
Print ISSN 1389-2037 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5550 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advancements in Proteomic and Peptidomic Approaches in Cancer Immunotherapy: Unveiling the Immune Microenvironment
The scope of this thematic issue centers on the integration of proteomic and peptidomic technologies into the field of cancer immunotherapy, with a particular emphasis on exploring the tumor immune microenvironment. This issue aims to gather contributions that illustrate the application of these advanced methodologies in unveiling the complex interplay ...read more
Artificial Intelligence for Protein Research
Protein research, essential for understanding biological processes and creating therapeutics, faces challenges due to the intricate nature of protein structures and functions. Traditional methods are limited in exploring the vast protein sequence space efficiently. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offer promising solutions by improving predictions and speeding up ...read more
Nutrition and Metabolism in Musculoskeletal Diseases
The musculoskeletal system consists mainly of cartilage, bone, muscles, tendons, connective tissue and ligaments. Balanced metabolism is of vital importance for the homeostasis of the musculoskeletal system. A series of musculoskeletal diseases (for example, sarcopenia, osteoporosis) are resulted from the dysregulated metabolism of the musculoskeletal system. Furthermore, metabolic diseases (such ...read more
Protein Folding, Aggregation and Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation
Protein folding, misfolding and aggregation remain one of the main problems of interdisciplinary science not only because many questions are still open, but also because they are important from the point of view of practical application. Protein aggregation and formation of fibrillar structures, for example, is a hallmark of a ...read more
Related Journals
- 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
-
Hematoma Expansion: Clinical and Molecular Predictors and Corresponding Pharmacological Treatment
Current Drug Targets Functions of Ghrelin in Brain, Gut and Liver
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Imaging Endogenous Neurotransmitters In Vivo with Positron Emission Tomography Displacement Studies
Current Psychopharmacology Thioridazine: The Good and the Bad
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Hyper-Homocysteinemia Alters Amyloid Peptide-Clusterin Interactions and Neuroglial Network Morphology and Function in the Caudate After Intrastriatal Injection of Amyloid Peptides
Current Alzheimer Research Elevated Homocysteine Levels in Parkinsons Disease: Is there Anything Besides L-Dopa Treatment?
Current Medicinal Chemistry TRP Channels in the Digestive System
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Cross Talk between the Cardiovascular and Nervous Systems:Neurotrophic Effects of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Angiogenic Effects of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)-Implications in Drug Development
Current Pharmaceutical Design Medical Management of Parkinsons Disease: Focus on Neuroprotection
Current Neuropharmacology Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Stress Signaling in Alzheimers Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Cellular Mechanisms Underlying the Interaction between Cannabinoid and Opioid System
Current Drug Targets Thioredoxin, Glutathione and Related Molecules in Tumors of the Nervous System
Current Medicinal Chemistry Recent Development in Neuronal Migration Disorders: Clinical, Neuroradiologic and Genetics Aspects
Current Pediatric Reviews Genetics of Serotonin Receptors and Depression: State of the Art
Current Drug Targets Insights into Structure-Activity Relationships and CNS Therapeutic Applications of NR2B Selective Antagonists
Current Medicinal Chemistry Intracompartmental Delivery of CNTF as Therapy for Huntingtons Disease and Retinitis Pigmentosa
Current Gene Therapy Targeting Functional Biomarkers in Schizophrenia with Neuroimaging
Current Pharmaceutical Design Epigenetic Modification in Neuropathic Pain
Current Pharmaceutical Design Therapeutic Approach for Neuronal Disease by Regulating Reninangiotensin System
Current Hypertension Reviews GPR55 and its Interaction with Membrane Lipids: Comparison with Other Endocannabinoid-Binding Receptors
Current Medicinal Chemistry