Neuropeptides and hippocampal neurogenesis.
Hippocampal neurogenesis is important for modulating the behavioural responses to stress and for certain forms of learning and memory. The mechanisms underlying the necessary coupling of neuronal activity to neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) function remain poorly understood. Within the dentate subgranular stem cell niche, local interneurons appear to play an important part in this excitation-neurogenesis coupling via GABAergic transmission, which promotes neuronal differentiation and integration. Neuropeptides such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and galanin have emerged as important mediators for signalling local and extrinsic interneuronal activity to subgranular zone precursors. Here we review the distribution of these neuropeptides and their receptors in the neurogenic area of the hippocampus and their precise effects on hippocampal neurogenesis. We also discuss neuropeptides' potential involvement in functional aspects of hippocampal neurogenesis particularly their involvement in the modulation of learning and memory and behavior responses.
Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, 3rd Floor, Room 3.33, The Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: zabenm@cardiff.ac.uk.
M J
MJ
Zaben
W P
WP
Gray
D000818:Animals; D019004:Galanin / Q000502:physiology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D055495:Neurogenesis; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000502:physiology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000502:physiology
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D019004:Galanin
Galanin; Hippocampus; NPY and learning and memory; Neurogenesis; VIP