by Neuropeptides, a group of signaling molecules that regulate synaptic communication, have been found to exert unique and enduring effects on brain development, particularly in the formation of neuronal connections. A recent study published in Nature Communications by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and MedUni Vienna sheds light on the importance of the neuropeptide galanin during a critical developmental stage for efficient neuronal connectivity.
Galanin’s influence on sensory development is significant, especially before eye opening in rodents. This study’s credibility lies in its focus on the whisker pathway, a fundamental sensory circuit in rodents that serves as their primary sensory modality before eye opening. The findings expand our understanding of neuropeptides’ roles in developmental neuroscience, as they are not merely secondary modulators of powerful fast neurotransmitters like GABA, glutamate, and monoamines, but possess distinct actions of their own.
Since neuropeptides act through G protein-coupled receptors, their effects are long-lasting, making them potentially sensitive to maternal manipulations, such as breast milk or direct contact. The study’s authors, led by Tibor Harkany, Professor at the Department of Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet and MedUni Vienna’s Center for Brain Research, report that behavioral impairments persist into adulthood in rodents with impaired galanin signaling, emphasizing the robustness of neuropeptide action.
The research team employed cellular and in vivo circuit neurobiology techniques, including genetic and chemical manipulation of both the neuropeptide and its receptors, to build a comprehensive understanding of the outcomes. Neuropeptides, a large superfamily of short proteins with over 100 receptors, can produce stimulating or inhibiting signals.
The researchers plan to investigate whether other neuropeptides may also impact development and to distinguish beneficial versus adverse effects by examining specific receptor systems. Given that many peptide receptors have previously been identified as potential drug targets, drug repurposing could be a valuable approach in addressing developmental and congenital disorders involving galanin and other neuropeptides.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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