MELANOTROPIC PEPTIDES IN THE MAMMALIAN BRAIN - THE MELANIN-CONCENTRATING HORMONE

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) has been identified in neurons of the mammalian brain. This review summarizes some current information r egarding the cell biology of this neuropeptide and the topography of M CH-immunoreactive (-IR) neurons in several species including mouse, ra t, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit, dog and monkey; an atlas of MCH-IR neu rons in the hypothalamus and subthalamus of the brain of guinea pig is presented. Based upon the location of this MCH cell group, it is hypo thesized that they may be functionally involved in circuits of extrapy ramidal motor systems from striatal centers to the thalamus and cerebr al cortex and to the midbrain and spinal cord.