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Distribution of Peptidergic Neurons in Mammalian Brain

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Book cover Aspects of Neuroendocrinology

Abstract

The term “peptidergic neuron” was coined by Bargmann, Lindner and Andres (1967) and thought to be valid only for those hypothalamic neurons which synthesize octapeptides such as oxytocin and vasopressin, and belong functionally and morphologically to a neurosecretory system. The authors pointed out that these neurons not only release hormones into the blood stream, but also form “peptidergic synapses” on the surfaces of epithelial cells. The latter would mean that, as postulated by Knowles and Bern (1966), neurosecretory fibres performing “peptide neurosecretion” transmit impulses or other influences to target cells by means of a polypeptide released at a “neurosecretomotor junction”. In this case the peptide would not function as a hormone but as a transmitter of nerve action. This possibility and our knowledge of the existence and distribution of other pharmacologically active polypeptides throughout the brain and especially in many nervous tissues not showing morphological signs of neurosecretory activity, make it necessary to consider whether the term “peptidergic neurons” should be extended to include all neurons containing active polypeptides and not confined to neurosecretory neurons only. One basis for these considerations is the “unitary concept of neurohumoral mechanisms” of de Robertis (1964) who wrote : “It can now be safely postulated that all neurons in addition to generating and spreading electrical phenomena have secretory functions by which active substances are synthesized and released.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Pharmakologie, Medizinische Akademie Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany

    G. Zetler

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  1. G. Zetler
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Kiel, Germany

    W. Bargmann

  2. New York, USA

    B. Scharrer

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© 1970 Springer-Verlag Berlin · Heidelberg

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Zetler, G. (1970). Distribution of Peptidergic Neurons in Mammalian Brain. In: Bargmann, W., Scharrer, B. (eds) Aspects of Neuroendocrinology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-46207-8_30

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-46207-8_30

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-46209-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-46207-8

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