Atrial natriuretic polypeptide in the brain: implication of central cardiovascular control

Biologically active peptides isolated from peripheral organs often occur in the central nervous system, and vice versa. There is evidence that the effects of centrally active peptides are often, although not always, complementary to their peripheral actions. Atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) is one of these biologically active peptides. Evidence presented here indicates that ANP is involved in the cardiovascular control as a neuropeptide in the central nervous system as well as a circulating hormone in the periphery.