EFFECTS OF LOCALIZED INJECTIONS OF NEUROPEPTIDE-Y ANTIBODY ON MOTOR-ACTIVITY AND OTHER BEHAVIORS

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) was shown to increase feeding when injected into the hypothalamus. Neuropeptide Y antibody (aNPY) decreased feeding in the ventromedial area of the hypothalamus as well as when it was injected into the ventromedial or ventrolateral areas of the thalamus, but not when injected into other hypothalamic areas. The decrease in feeding produced by aNPY in the hypothalamus was associated with a sterotypic increase in general activity in the hypothalamus, circling in the ventromedial thalamic area, and barrel rolling in the ventrolateral thalamic area. Neuropeptide Y antibody also reduced by 54-73% the time it required for mice to recover from anesthesia. The marked increase in stereotypic activity and enhanced recovery from anethestic suggest that blocking endogenous NPY released the brain areas from inhibitory control. These studies further confirm a physiological role for NPY in the central nervous system.