Neuropeptide S: a novel activating anxiolytic?
Many different neuropharmacological agents modulate arousal and anxiety, yet to date, few endogenous substances have produced arousal with an anxiolytic effect. In this issue of Neuron, Xu et al. describe the localization and characterization of a novel neuropeptide, neuropeptide S (and its cognate receptor), that is unique in its arousing and anxiolytic-like properties.
Koob
George F
GF
Department of Neuropharmacology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
Greenwell
Thomas N
TN
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000378:metabolism; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide