Control of neuropeptidergic transmission: The requirement for behavioural homeostasis.

摘要

Neuropeptides are now considered as the possible second generation of pharmaceutical agents with multiple putative use in various diseases of the central nervous system. This has been emphasized recently by the development as antidepressant agent of the NK1 receptor antagonists. On the other hand the sulfated fragment CCK8 of cholecystokinin, present in large quantities in various brain regions interacts with the CCK2 receptor or its subtypes CCK2a and CCK2b to induce various effects such as potentiation of opioid-dependent analgesia and enhancement of mnesic processes~1. This latter effect is of major interest in view of its putative applications in neurodegenerative diseases. However investigation of the site of action of CCK2b agonists and the exploration of the duration of effectts of such compounds require a constant perfusion of the molecule in discrete brain structure. This is a very difficult task that could be overcomed by stereotaxic implantation of microspheres containing the compound.