Peptides and Psychoneuroendocrinology

The effects of norethisterone in postmenopausal women on oestrogen replacement therapy: a model for the premenstrual syndrome

“…Both steroids accumulate and are metabolized in the brain, including the cortex (Backstrom 1977); the activity of the central nervous system appears to be increased by oestrogen, and decreased by progesterone ). Specific actions have been shown on neurotransmitters and their precursors (Asso 1983), and peptides such as gonadotrophin-releasing factor (Nemeroff 1978) and endorphins (Reid & Yen 1981) have all been implicated in psychological functioning. For example, a deficiency of catecholamines may be involved in the pathogenesis of depression (Schidlkraut 1965) and oestrogens may act as anti-depressant by enhancing central adrenergic activity with an effect on synthesis, degradation, and neuronal uptake (Klaiber et al 1982).…”

Specificity of Neurotensin Metabolism by Regional Rat Brain Slices

“…In nucleus accumbens and caudate-putamen, NT concentrations are relatively high in comparison with hippocampus (nucleus accumbens, 33 1 pg/mg of protein; posterior caudate nucleus with putamen, 545 pg/ mg of protein; hippocampus, dorsal part, 72 pg/mg of protein; hippocampus, ventral part, 172 pg/mg of protein) and have been shown to be involved in behavioral and motor functions (NemeroE, 1986). NT has been implicated as possibly being an endogenous neuroleptic, based on various similarities with known neuroleptics, including potentiation of barbiturate sedation, hypothermia, amphetamine antagonism, diminished locomotor activity, and muscle relaxation (Nemeroff et al, 1977(Nemeroff et al, , 1979Nemeroff and Prange, 1978). Neuroleptic drug treatment has been shown to alter NT metabolism at purified synaptic plasma membranes, leading to the formation of a biologically active C-terminal fragment with antinociceptive activity (Davis and Culling-Berglund, 1987).…”

Induction of maternal behavior in virgin rats after intracerebroventricular administration of oxytocin

“…We have suggested, and critically reviewed, a concept of harmony between the endocrine and behavioral action of neuropeptides (32). Guided by this general notion and by the specific suggestion of Klopfer, we proposed to examine the possibility that oxytocin might be a potent inducer of maternal behavior.…”