title: Central functions of neuropeptide Y in mood and anxiety disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a highly conserved neuropeptide belonging to the pancreatic polypeptide family. Its potential role in the etiology and pathophysiology of mood and anxiety disorders has been extensively studied. NPY also has effects on feeding behavior, ethanol intake, sleep regulation, tissue growth and remodeling. Findings from animal studies have delineated the physiological and behavioral effects mediated by specific NPY receptor subtypes, of which Y1 and Y2 are the best understood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physiological roles and alterations of the NPYergic system in anxiety disorders, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol dependence and epilepsy. For each disorder, studies in animal models and human investigations are outlined and discussed, focusing on behavior, neurophysiology, genetics and potential for novel treatment targets.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The wide implications of NPY in psychiatric disorders such as depression and PTSD make the NPYergic system a promising target for the development of novel therapeutic interventions. These include intranasal NPY administration, currently under study, and the development of agonists and antagonists targeting NPY receptors. Therefore, we are proposing that via this mode of administration, NPY might exert CNS therapeutic actions without untoward systemic effects. Future work will show if this is a feasible approach.
authors: Karolinska Institutet-Clinical Neuroscience, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Gang
authors: G
authors: Wu
authors: Adriana
authors: A
authors: Feder
authors: Gregers
authors: G
authors: Wegener
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Bailey
authors: Shireen
authors: S
authors: Saxena
authors: Dennis
authors: D
authors: Charney
authors: Aleksander A
authors: AA
authors: Mathé
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015195:Drug Design; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017476:Receptors, Neuropeptide Y / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D017476:Receptors, Neuropeptide Y; C097212:neuropeptide Y-Y1 receptor; C095889:neuropeptide Y2 receptor