Somatostatin and behaviour: The need for genetically engineered models

Somatostatin was originally characterised as a hypothalamic neurohormone re sponsible for the inhibition of pituitary Growth Hormone secretion. In mamm als two genes encode for somatostatin-related peptides, somatostatin 14 and 28, and cortistatins, respectively. All peptides bind with similar affinit ies to the Eve cloned somatostatin receptors (sst), which belong to the GPC R family. Despite numerous studies, no clear behavioural function has yet b een attributed to somalostatin-related peptides. This is due to the lack of good pharmacological tools (selective antagonists) and animal models. This review will focus on the recent development of such tools. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science Ltd. Published by Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier S AS.