Galanin and Cognition

Abstract

Since the neuropeptide galanin's discovery in 1983, information has accumulated that implicates it in a wide range of functions, including pain sensation, stress responses, appetite regulation, and learning and memory. This article reviews the evidence for specific functions of galanin in cognitive processes. Consistencies as well as gaps in the literature are organized around basic questions of methodology and theory. This review shows that although regularities are evident in the observed behavioral effects of galanin across several methods for measuring learning and memory, generalization from these findings is tempered with concerns about confounds and a restricted range of testing conditions. Furthermore, it is revealed that many noncognitive behavioral constructs that are relevant for assessing potential roles for galanin in cognition have not been thoroughly examined. The review concludes by laying out how future theory and experimental work can overcome these concerns and confidently define the nature of the association of galanin with particular cognitive constructs.

Phenotyping of sensory and sympathetic ganglion neurons of a galanin-overexpressing mouse—Possible implications for pain processing

“…Galanin has been described as a multi-functional neuropeptide, including the recent demonstration of its involvement in developmental processes and trophic actions (see Bartfai et al, 1993;Merchenthaler et al, 1993;Crawley, 1995;Wynick et al, 2001;Vrontakis, 2002;Counts et al, 2003;Robinson, 2004;Hökfelt and Crawley, 2005). In the peripheral nervous system of both rat and mouse, expression of galanin can normally only be detected in a few small neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) (Ch'ng et al, 1985;Skofitsch and Jacobowitz, 1985;Corness et al, 1996;Shi et al, 1998).…”

Physiology, Signaling, and Pharmacology of Galanin Peptides and Receptors: Three Decades of Emerging Diversity

“…From the latter, a representative collection covering the different galanin fields and research groups is provided here for further reading Mazarati et al, 2001;Wiesenfeld-Hallin and Xu, 2001;Wynick et al, 2001;Zigmond, 2001;Crawley et al, 2002;Gundlach, 2002;Liu and Hökfelt, 2002;Vrontakis, 2002;Wynick and Bacon, 2002;Counts et al, 2003;Morilak et al, 2003;Ubink et al, 2003;Mazarati, 2004;Jacobowitz et al, 2004;Robinson, 2004;Lundstrom et al, 2005a;Hoyer and Bartfai, 2012). In addition, the proceedings of three of the galanin meetings Hökfelt and Crawley, 2005) and two multi-author reviews Tatemoto, 2008, 2010) have been published, with chapters by several authors who have been active in this field for many years.…”

Ligand binding properties of human galanin receptors

“…It often inhibits the release of acetylcholine from ventral hippocampus (Fisone et al 1987, Laplante et al 2004), norephedrine and serotonin release from LC and DRN neurons, respectively (Fuxe et al 1998, Hökfelt et al 1998, Kehr et al 2002, glutamate release from hippocampal and hypothalamic slices (Zini et al 1993), and dopamine release from hypothalamic slices (Ericson andAhlenius 1999, Nordström et al 1987). Therefore, galanin has been implicated in regulating several physiological functions such as memory and cognition, seizure, nociception, spinal re flexes, a ection, feeding and hormone release (Wrenn and Crawley 2001, Robinson 2004, WiesenfeldHallin et al 2005, Robinson et al 2006. Consequently, galanin signaling contributes to disorders like epilepsy, Alzheimer 's disease, stroke, emotional disorders and drug addiction by signaling via its receptors (Fathi et al 1997, Branchek et al 2000, all belonging to the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily.…”