Neurokinin and Its Receptors: Association with Learning and Memory / 대한정신약물학회지

ABSTRACT

The neurokinin Substance P is widely distributed in the central nervous system and has been extensively studied in various functional aspects. Substance P has been reported to have memory-promoting, reinforcing, and anxiolyticlike effects when administered systemically or locally. N-terminal fragment of Substance P has memory-promoting effects, whereas the C-terminal sequence of Substance P has been shown to have a memory-reinforcing effect. These properties of Substance P are thought to be mediated through activation of the nucleus accumbensventral pallidum circuitry. Substance P facilitates long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus, and the distribution of ERK neurons seems to overlap with that of NK1 neurons. Hippocampal ERK activation is critical for the induction of LTP. In conclusion, Substance P might have a neuroprotective capacity in parallel with its recovery promoting actions.