title: Long-term treatment with haloperidol affects neuropeptide S and NPSR mRNA levels in the rat brain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The brainstem-derived neuropeptide S (NPS) has a multidirectional regulatory activity, especially as a potent anxiolytic factor. Accumulating data suggests that neuroleptics affect peptidergic signalling in various brain structures. However, there is no information regarding the influence of haloperidol on NPS and NPS receptor (NPSR) expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed NPS and NPSR mRNA levels in brains of rats treated with haloperidol using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chronic haloperidol treatment (4 weeks) led to a striking upregulation of NPS and NPSR expression in the rat brainstem. Conversely, the NPSR mRNA expression was decreased in the hippocampus and striatum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This stark increase of NPS in response to haloperidol treatment supports the hypothesis that this neuropeptide is involved in the dopamine-dependent anxiolytic actions of neuroleptics and possibly also in the pathophysiology of mental disorders. Furthermore, our findings underline the complex nature of potential interactions between dopamine receptors and brain peptidergic pathways, which has potential clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Histology,School of Medicine in Katowice,Medical University of Silesia,Katowice,Poland.
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palasz
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Histology,School of Medicine in Katowice,Medical University of Silesia,Katowice,Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rojczyk
authors.affiliation: 2Student Scientific Society,Medical University of Silesia,Katowice,Poland.
authors.forename: Milosz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Golyszny
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Histology,School of Medicine in Katowice,Medical University of Silesia,Katowice,Poland.
authors.forename: Lukasz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Filipczyk
authors.affiliation: 3Manchester Immunology Group,University of Manchester,Manchester,UK.
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Worthington
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Histology,School of Medicine in Katowice,Medical University of Silesia,Katowice,Poland.
authors.forename: Ryszard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wiaderkiewicz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000235:genetics*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; C568280:neuropeptide S receptor, rat; C534458:neuropeptide S, rat; D006220:Haloperidol
keywords: NPSR; brainstem; haloperidol; neuroleptics; neuropeptide s