The NPY-family of peptides encompasses several groups of neurotransmitters and hormones, which exert diverse biological and pathological actions that bear on all major vital systems. This book is a unique compilation of the most recent breakthroughs in NPY/PYY neurobiology, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. The identification of multiple receptors for the members of the NPY and PYY family of peptides provides new opportunities for discovery of specific NPY antagonists and agonists that have vast clinical potential. The recognition of the role of NPY in stimulation of food intake has already resulted in discovery of potent and selective NPY receptor Y-5 antagonists, which are in clinical development for obesity. NPY Y1 receptor antagonists are targeted for cardiovascular indications. Research into the multiple functions of NPY and its receptors in neurological and affective disorders is also actively pursued. The chapters in this book are written by internationally renowned experts with the objective to synthesize leading concepts and data in support for translational medicine.

The ideal complement to this volume is the book NPY Family of Peptides in Immune Disorders, Inflammation, Angiogenesis, and Cancer, recently published by the same editors in the Birkhäuser book series Progress in Inflammation Research. Both volumes together give a comprehensive overview of the NPY family of peptides.

Inhalt
NPY family of peptides in neurobiology, cardiovascular system and metabolism: genes, diseases and therapeutics.- NPY family of peptides, receptors and processing enzymes.- An overview of neuropeptide Y: pharmacology to molecular biology and receptor localization.- Molecular ligand-receptor interaction of the NPY/PP peptide family.- Physiological and pathophysiological perspectives of the NPY family of peptides.- Modulator role of neuropeptide Y in human vascular sympathetic neuroeffector junctions.- NPY and NPY receptors: presence, distribution and roles in the regulation of the endocardial endothelium and cardiac function.- Neuropeptide Y and sympathetic control of vascular tone in hypertension.- Neuropeptide Y and the cerebral circulation.- Neuropeptide Y and the heart: implication for myocardial infarction and heart failure.- Role of neuropeptide Y in the regulation of kidney function.- NPY and neuron-adipocyte interactions in the regulation of metabolism.- NPY and energy homeostasis: an opportunity for novel anti-obesity therapies.- Subjugation of hypothalamic NPY and cohorts with central leptin gene therapy alleviates dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and obesity for life-time.- NPY and bone.- NPY in alcoholism and psychiatric disorders.- Plasticity of neuropeptide Y in the dentate gyrus after seizures, and its relevance to seizure-induced neurogenesis.- NPY and extreme stress: lessons learned from posttraumatic stress disorder.- NPY and chronic neurodegenerative disease.- Genetics of the NPY family of peptides and their receptors.- Human NPY gene variants in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.- Summary.- Future directions and perspectives for therapies based on the NPY family of peptides.