neuropeptide Y


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neu·ro·pep·tide Y

[MIM*162640]
a 36-amino acid peptide neurotransmitter found in the brain and autonomic nervous system. It augments the vasoconstrictor effects of noradrenergic neurons.

neuropeptide Y (NPY)

a natural substance that acts on the brain to stimulate eating. Laboratory animals injected with NPY greatly overeat. Substances that block the NPY receptor reduce the appetite. Leptin, a hormone that stimulates weight loss, reduces the output of NPY from the hypothalamus, a major production center. Another natural substance that stimulates the urge to eat is peptide YY. In animal experiments it has appeared to be at least as potent as NPY.

neu·ro·pep·tide Y

(NPY) (nū'rō-pep'tīd)
A 36-amino acid peptide expressed in most regions of the central nervous system including the cortex, hypothalamus, thalamus, olfactory bulb, amygdala, and hippocampus, as well as the peripheral neurons of the sympathetic nervous system. Responsible for regulating various physiologic functions including feeding behavior, reproductive behavior, circadian rhythms, cardiovascular responses, memory, and stress response.
References in periodicals archive ?
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) assumes several key roles in the brain's complex control circuits.
Good maternal care boosts healthy development in kids
It supports the idea that strengthening neuropeptide Y transmission in the amygdala would be an attractive treatment for alcoholism.
Researchers observed the effects of the administration neuropeptide Y in the central amygdala on alcohol drinking in rats.
From the results, researchers reported a suppression of alcohol consumption with chronic neuropeptide Y infusions and attributed it to some neurocircuitry involved.
Key brain mechanism leading to alcoholism identified
The new protein, whose structure differs significantly from that of the other potential neuropeptide Y receptors, is the best candidate yet, Christophe Gerald of Synaptic Pharmaceutical Corp.
Surprisingly, some recent research on neuropeptide Y has cast doubt on whether the brain chemical's normal function is to influence feeding behavior.
Feasting on neuropeptide Y research
Her studies in rats indicate that one of these chemicals, called neuropeptide Y, causes carbohydrate erarings, while the other, called galanin, seems to underlie a yen for fat.
This synthetic DNA interfered with brain cells' ability to make neuropeptide Y, reducing stores by about 35 percent.
also modulate neuropeptide Y production, Leibowitz says.
These results indicate that changes in cravings for sugar and fat are linked to changes in the amounts of neuropeptide Y and galanin.
Food cravings tied to brain chemicals
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