Galanin: A potential role in mesolimbic dopamine-mediated instrumental behavior

• Published in: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews Vol. 32; no. 8; pp. 1485 - 1493
• Main Authors: Robinson, John K., Brewer, Ariel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Behavior, Animal - drug effects; Behavior, Animal - physiology; Behavioral psychophysiology; Biological and medical sciences; Conditioning, Operant - drug effects; Conditioning, Operant - physiology; Consumption; Dopamine - metabolism; Drinking; Feeding; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Galanin; Galanin - metabolism; Galanin - pharmacology; Humans; Limbic System - anatomy & histology; Limbic System - physiology; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Motivation; Progressive ratio; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Consumption; Drinking; Galanin; Motivation; Progressive ratio; Feeding; Feeding behavior; Dopamine; Review; Catecholamine; Neuropeptide; Instrumental behavior; Neurotransmitter; Ratio
• ISSN: 0149-7634; 1873-7528
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2008.05.025

The involvement of the neuropeptide galanin in the consumption of the primary “commodities” of food and water is well established. However, the present review describes anatomical and behavioral evidence that suggests that galanin may also modulate ascending mesolimbic dopamine function and thereby play an inhibitory role in the systems by which instrumental behavior is energized toward acquiring primary commodities. General anatomical frameworks for this interaction are presented and future studies that could evaluate it are discussed.