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Does neuropeptide Y (NPY) mediate the effects of psychotropic drugs?
Ewa Obuchowicz1, Robert Krysiak, Zbigniew S Herman
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Silesian University School of Medicine, Medyków 18, PL 40-752 Katowice, Poland. eobuchowicz@slam.katowice.pl
Abstract:
Although several studies have summarized the effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the central nervous system, its role in psychopharmacotherapy has not been reviewed in detail. For the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of studies on the suggested role of NPY in the benefits of treatment for mental disorders. Our review focuses on the possible involvement of altered NPY system activity in the effects of antianxiety, antidepressant and antipsychotic therapies. Potential sites and receptors, which are implicated in mediating the NPY effects of psychotropic drugs, have been described. We discuss the significance of alterations in the brain NPY system for the development of new methods of treatment for mental disorders.
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