Reduced brain somatostatin in mood disorders: a common pathophysiological substrate and drug target?

ABSTRACT: Our knowledge of the pathophysiology of affect dysregulation has progressively increased, but the pharmacological treatments remain inadequate. Here, we summarize the current literature on deficits in somatostatin, an inhibitory modulatory neuropeptide, in major depression and other neurological disorders that also include mood disturbances. We focus on direct evidence in the human postmortem brain, and review rodent genetic and pharmacological studies probing the role of the somatostatin system in relation to mood. We also briefly go over pharmacological developments targeting the somatostatin system in peripheral organs and discuss the challenges of targeting the brain somatostatin system. Finally, the fact that somatostatin deficits are frequently observed across neurological disorders

SUBMITTER: Lin LC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3766825 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature