Mj. Walter et al., EFFECTS OF LOCALIZED INJECTIONS OF NEUROPEPTIDE-Y ANTIBODY ON MOTOR-ACTIVITY AND OTHER BEHAVIORS, Peptides, 15(4), 1994, pp. 607-613
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) was shown to increase feeding when injected into
the hypothalamus. Neuropeptide Y antibody (aNPY) decreased feeding in
the ventromedial area of the hypothalamus as well as when it was injec
ted into the ventromedial or ventrolateral areas of the thalamus, but
not when injected into other hypothalamic areas. The decrease in feedi
ng produced by aNPY in the hypothalamus was associated with a sterotyp
ic increase in general activity in the hypothalamus, circling in the v
entromedial thalamic area, and barrel rolling in the ventrolateral tha
lamic area. Neuropeptide Y antibody also reduced by 54-73% the time it
required for mice to recover from anesthesia. The marked increase in
stereotypic activity and enhanced recovery from anethestic suggest tha
t blocking endogenous NPY released the brain areas from inhibitory con
trol. These studies further confirm a physiological role for NPY in th
e central nervous system.