[Information transmission by means of neurosecretory peptides as mediators]

Abstract

Morphological indications and new experimental results demonstrate that neurosecretory peptides or low-molecular proteins, respectively, appear to effect as mediators in information transmission. They are acting as releasers triggering specific behavior programs in the nervous system or as modulators in the regulation of different functions. This can be observed in different groups of the animal kingdom including mammals and man as well as different levels of organization or systems. Some of such facts at behavior level, concerning regulation of organ function and finally at cellular level of distinct single neurons are discussed.