Shedding light on neurotransmitter function
Relatively little attention has been paid to the function of the neurotransmitter somatostatin (sst) in brain tissue as well as to its involvement in a number of key pathways and pathologies. The SOMATOSTATIN RECEPTO project focused on the elucidation of sst's function in the brain and its role in brain pathologies, thus leading to potentially new therapeutic avenues. The project concentrated on a variety of aspects of sst function including sst involvement in brain signalling systems and the study of the localisation of sst receptors in brain tissue. Studies showed that sst may be involved with the modulation of leptin activity in a segment of the brain known as the hypothalamus. Leptin has been implicated in the regulation of feeding behaviour and more specifically in the onset of satiety. It is therefore indicated that sst may have a role to play in the feeding behaviour in humans. Examining these interactions further, the specific links between leptin-responsive neurons and the sst system were investigated. Anatomical evidence was gained to support a direct interaction between leptin and the sst system. Furthermore, it was shown that sst could counteract leptin-induced 24-h anorexia in a laboratory setting and it could inhibit the activity of leptin-dependant molecules. These data constitute one of the first detailed accounts of sst's role in mammalian brain. The observations made throughout this project are the foundation of further experiments and studies on the implication of sst in a series of pathologies and ways to overcome them. As such, the experimental know-how and the developed technologies could be of interest to pharmaceutical companies and research institutions.