By the beginning of the next millennium, the search for the natural Ligands
of the orphan G-protein-coupled receptors will lead to the discovery of so
many new neuropeptides that it may well double their present number. This
bounty of new tools will direct us to new insights in brain function and to
better understanding of brain disorders. It is expected that the novel neu
ropeptides will have a particular impact on molecular psychiatry. In view o
f their potential, the novel neuropeptides should also become the focus of
drug discovery programs. It is hoped that these programs will be initiated
at an early stage, when understanding of novel neuropeptide function has no
t necessarily been reached, to allow for the design of neuropeptide chemica
l surrogates that are crucial to the study of the novel neuropeptide system
and may serendipitously develop into highly successful drugs. (C) 1999 Els
evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.