The role of galanin as a multi-functional neuropeptide in the nervous system

• Published in: Current Opinion in Pharmacology Vol. 1; no. 1; pp. 73 - 77
• Main Authors: Wynick, David, Thompson, Stephen WN, McMahon, Stephen B
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2001
• Subjects: Analyesia; Animals; Axotomy; CNS; Development; Galanin; Galanin - genetics; Galanin - physiology; Ganglia, Spinal - drug effects; Ganglia, Spinal - physiology; Humans; Knockout; Mice; Neuropathy; Neuropeptide; Neuropeptides - physiology; Nociception; Nociceptors - drug effects; Pain - genetics; Pain - psychology; Phenotype; Rats; Receptors, Galanin; Receptors, Neuropeptide - drug effects; Receptors, Neuropeptide - genetics; Receptors, Neuropeptide - physiology; Spinal cord; Nociception; Spinal cord; Axotomy; Galanin; Analyesia; Development; CNS; Neuropathy; Neuropeptide; Knockout
• ISSN: 1471-4892; 1471-4973
• DOI: 10.1016/S1471-4892(01)00006-6

The neuropeptide galanin is expressed developmentally in the DRG and is rapidly up-regulated 120-fold after peripheral nerve section in the adult. The generation and study of galanin knockout mice has indicated that the peptide is critical to the development and function of specific subsets of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system. These data have important implications for the understanding, and potential therapeutic treatment, of sensory neuropathies and a number of neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy.