Ghrelin as a Neuroprotective and Palliative Agent in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease

Title:Ghrelin as a Neuroprotective and Palliative Agent in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease

Volume: 19 Issue: 38

Author(s): Vanessa V. dos Santos, Ana Lúcia S. Rodrigues, Thereza C. De Lima, Susana R. de Barioglio, Rita Raisman-Vozari and Rui D. Prediger

Affiliation:

Keywords: Ghrelin, neuroprotection, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, learning and memory, anxiety, depression

Abstract: Ghrelin is a gastric hormone that stimulates growth hormone (GH) secretion and food intake to regulate energy homeostasis and body weight by binding to its receptor, GH secretagogue receptor (GHSR1a), which is most highly expressed in the pituitary and hypothalamus. Nowadays there is considerable evidence showing that the GHSR1a is also expressed in numerous extra-hypothalamic neuronal populations and the physiological role of ghrelin is by far wider than considered before including learning and memory, anxiety, depression and neuroprotection. The present review attempts to provide a comprehensive picture of the role of ghrelin in the central nervous system and to highlight recent findings showing its potential as an innovative therapeutic agent in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Cite this article as:

V. dos Santos Vanessa, S. Rodrigues Ana Lúcia, C. De Lima Thereza, R. de Barioglio Susana, Raisman-Vozari Rita and D. Prediger Rui, Ghrelin as a Neuroprotective and Palliative Agent in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2013; 19 (38) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/13816128113199990411