Npy - neuropeptide Y

This gene encodes a neuropeptide that is widely expressed in the central nervous system and influences many physiological processes, including cortical excitability, stress response, food intake, circadian rhythms, and cardiovascular function. Studies in the rat model of depression (Flinders Sensitive Line) show that this gene is downregulated in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex compared to the control ((Flinders Resistant Line). Alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene have been described, but the function of all the variants is not known. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2012]