Central Functions of the Ghrelin Receptor (The Receptors Book 25)

The Ghrelin receptor was identified before its natural ligand ghrelin. This receptor is found both centrally and peripherally, and has been shown to affect various processes, such as food intake, gut motility, memory, glucose and lipid metabolism, cardiovascular performances, reproduction, memory, and immunological responses, amongst others. The functions of the ghrelin receptor in the central nervous system are numerous and are still being explored. In this book we specifically focus on the various roles of the ghrelin receptor in the central nervous system. In a first set of chapters, the book will focus on the discovery and the properties of this intriguing constitutively active G-protein coupled receptor, on its multiple intracellular transduction mechanisms and the various subtypes of the currently known ghrelin receptor complexes. Next, the book will elaborate on the mitochondrial mechanisms regulated by the ghrelin receptor, its role in feeding and drug addictive mechanisms, memory, sleep and arousal. The final chapters focus on the potential of this receptor as a target for the treatment of neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, anxiety and depression. Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Constitutive Activity of the Ghrelin Receptor....Pages 3-19 Homodimerization and Heterodimerization of the Ghrelin Receptor....Pages 21-31 Front Matter....Pages 33-33 The Role of the Ghrelin Receptor in Appetite and Energy Metabolism....Pages 35-52 The Vagus Nerve and Ghrelin Function....Pages 53-61 Front Matter....Pages 63-63 Central Ghrelin Receptors and Food Intake....Pages 65-88 The Ghrelin Receptor: A Novel Therapeutic Target for Obesity....Pages 89-122 Ghrelin Receptor Antagonism as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Alcohol Use Disorders: A Preclinical Perspective....Pages 123-134 Clinical Research on the Ghrelin Axis and Alcohol Consumption....Pages 135-149 Front Matter....Pages 151-151 Ghrelin and Sleep Regulation....Pages 153-165 Ghrelin and Memory....Pages 167-175 Ghrelin Receptors and Epilepsy....Pages 177-189 Ghrelin Plays a Role in Various Physiological and Pathophysiological Brain Functions....Pages 191-204 Ghrelin and Parkinson’s Disease....Pages 205-211 Back Matter....Pages 213-214