Research progress in neuropeptide Y and epilepsy / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a pancreatic polypeptide-related peptide, consisting of 36 amino acids. NPY is expressed in the nervous system widely and abundantly, mainly in the hippocampus, regulates the excitability of neurons through its receptors (Y_1, Y_2, Y_5). In recent years the research progress indicated the changes induced by seizures in the level and distribution of NPY, its receptors subtypes and their respective mRNAs in brain. The inhibitory action of NPY on glutamate-mediated neurotransmission and in seizure phenomena, suggests that one of its roles in hippocampal physiology is to modulate neuronal excitability by regu-lating glutamate release.