Somatostatinergic systems: An update on brain functions in normal and pathological aging

Abstract

Somatostatin is highly expressed in mammalian brain and is involved in many brain functions such as motor activity, sleep, sensory, and cognitive processes. Five somato- statin receptors have been described: sst1, sst2 (A and B), sst3, sst4, and sst5, all belonging to the G-protein-coupled receptor family. During the recent years, numerous studies contributed to clarify the role of somatostatin systems, especially long-range somatostatinergic interneurons, in several functions they have been previously involved in. New advances have also been made on the alterations of somatostatinergic systems in several brain diseases and on the potential therapeutic target they represent in these pathologies. © 2012 Martel, Dutar, Epelbaum and Viollet.