title: Neurotensin: central nervous system effects of a hypothalamic peptide.
abstract: The central administration of neurotensin, an endogenous hypothalamic tridecapeptide, produces a marked dose-related decrease in body temperature of mice and rats at an ambient temperature of 25 degrees C. This effect is even more pronounced when mice are placed at 4 degrees C to increase the rate of decline of body temperature. Other sequelae observed after central administration of neurotensin are decreases in locomotor activity in rats and a marked dose-related enhancement in pentobarbital-induced mortality, sedation and hypothermia. This latter effect was shown to be due to a significant reduction in the metabolic degradation of the barbiturate. None of the above-mentioned effects are observed after peripheral neurotensin administration, suggesting that this peptide does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier. Neurotensin appears to be one of a growing list of neuropeptides that can affect CNS function.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002946:Cisterna Magna; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D007031:Hypothalamus; D007267:Injections; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D013004:Somatostatin; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D010424:Pentobarbital