Am J Psychiatry 1981; 138:962-964
Copyright © 1981 by American Psychiatric Association
Effects of an ACTH short chain neuropeptide in man
RL Dornbush, B Shapiro and AM Freedman
The authors studied the effect of an ACTH 4-9 analogue (the shortest
behaviorally active fragment of the ACTH neuropeptide) on mood in normal
aging volunteers. These mood changes, described as a sense of well-being,
energy, and drive, are consistent with an arousal-stimulant mechanism of
action of the compound. No effect of the compound was found on attention or
memory. Because of its apparent safety and the lack of adverse effects, the
authors suggest that this short chain neuropeptide be further explored in
older individuals for its mood- elevating and potential antidepressant
properties.
