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Dr. Susan J. Thomas

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Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
Interests: mental health; depression; hormones; neuropeptides; psychoneuroendocrinology

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Dear Colleagues,

Neuropeptides are a large group of signalling molecules in the central and peripheral nervous systems, often coreleased with neurotransmitters. Neuropeptides connect peripheral organs with the CNS, integrating metabolic signalling into wider brain networks. Therefore, they facilitate communication between the brain and body, orchestrating complex social and behavioural repertoires according to prevailing homeostatic conditions.

Neuropeptides have been linked to the pathophysiology of several mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, eating disorders, and conditions involving social impairment. Key neuropeptides linked to mental disorders include neuropeptide Y, oxytocin, corticotrophin-releasing hormone/factor (CRH/CRF), orexin, prolactin, and opioids, and the list continues to grow. Neuropeptide studies show potential for improving the understanding of complex aetiologies of mental disorders and for the development of more targeted treatments.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present recent advances in the growing field of neuropeptide and mental health research. We welcome novel studies and reviews spanning basic and clinical science regarding neuropeptides and their relationship to mental health, including both central and peripheral findings linked to mental disorders.

Dr. Susan J. Thomas
Guest Editor

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Keywords

neuropeptide
mental disorder
oxytocin
corticotrophin-releasing hormone
orexin, Neuropeptide Y
melanocortins
galanin
substance P

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10 pages, 429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Blood Levels of Neuropeptide 26RFa in Relation to Anxiety and Aggressive Behavior in Humans—An Exploratory Study

by Henning Værøy, Saloua Takhlidjt, Yamina Cherifi, Emilie Lahaye, Nicolas Chartrel and Serguei O. Fetissov

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(2), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13020237 - 31 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1461

Abstract

26RFa, also referred to as QRFP, is a hypothalamic neuropeptide mainly known for its role in the regulation of appetite and glucose metabolism. Its possible relevance to emotional regulation is largely unexplored. To address this, in the present exploratory study, we analyzed the plasma concentrations of 26RFa in humans characterized by different levels of anxiety and aggressive behavior. For this purpose, the study included 13 prison inmates who have committed violent crimes and 19 age-matched healthy men from the general population as controls. Anxiety, depression and aggressive behavior were evaluated in both groups using standard questionnaires. The inmate group was characterized by increased aggression and anxiety compared to the controls. We found that the mean plasma levels of 26RFa did not significantly differ between the inmates and the controls. However, several high outliers were present only in the inmate group. The plasma levels of 26RFa correlated positively with the anxiety scores in all the studied subjects and controls. After removing the high outliers in the inmate group, positive correlations of 26RFa with anxiety and a subscale of hostility in the aggression scale were also recorded in this group. No significant correlations of 26RFa with depression scores or other parameters of aggressive behavior were found. Thus, the present results did not support an involvement of 26RFa in aggressive behavior in humans but pointed to a link between this neuropeptide and anxiety. Nevertheless, considering the exploratory nature of the present study, this conclusion should be verified in a larger cohort, including the clinical degree of anxiety. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuropeptides and Hormones in Mental Health Disorders)

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