Galanin: a multitalented neuropeptide

Galanin, one of the many (> 100) neuropeptides, was discovered in 1983 based on its C-terminal amidation motif. Over the years, three more members of the galanin family have been identified, and three galanin receptors have been cloned. Work in many laboratories has provided evidence that this peptide can act as a transmitter, modulator, and growth factor and that it is involved in a number of, especially, disease-related processes. In this introduction, we provide some historical aspects on the galanin research and how the field has developed over three decades.