The therapeutic potential of neuropeptide Y in central nervous system disorders with special reference to pain and sympathetically maintained pain

Abstract

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a widely distributed peptide, has been shown to have numerous effects in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. In particular, NPY has an important role in mediating analgesia and hyperalgesia by distinct central and peripheral mechanisms. At least six NPY receptor subtypes are known to exist and the development of subtype-specific ligands targeted at NPY receptors will offer novel therapeutic agents. This article will review the involvement of NPY in diverse pathologies of the nervous system, including pain, and will propose a role for NPY in the maintenance of sympathetically maintained pain.

• central nervous system
• neuropeptide Y
• neuropeptide Y receptor
• neuropsychology
• pain
• sympathetically mediated pain