N.A. Krupina, N.N. Khlebnikova, N.N. Zolotov, E.Yu Kushnareva, N.G. Bogdanova and I.N. Orlova (Editors)
Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Series: Pharmacology – Research, Safety Testing and Regulation
BISAC: MED071000

Current theories of antidepressant action are substantially based on increasing the availability of the monoamine neurotransmitters. A new trend in antidepressant medication includes mechanisms connected with neuropeptides and peptide hormones lacking in side effects. Increasing evidence proves the involvement of neuropeptides in the development of depression and anxiety. However, there is a lack of data on the enzymes cleaving neuropeptides mediating depression and anxiety.

This new book reviews results obtained in two rat models of depression which prove that PEP inhibitors benzyloxycarbonyl-methionyl-2(S)-cyano-pyrrolidine and benzyloxycarbonyl-alanyl-proline to have antidepressant-like properties. These result promote a new approach to treatment strategy for depressive disorders based on modulation of PEP activity with synthetic inhibitors. (Imprint: Nova Biomedical)