T wo of the most enigmatic and challenging problems in neuroscience are the search for the function of sleep and understanding the mechanism by which volatile chemicals can induce general anesthesia. Despite the apparent similarity of sleep and anesthesia to the neophyte, it is widely argued that these brain states are actually apples and oranges, sleep being readily reversible (thankfully), wh...

The number of hypothalamic neuropeptides that have been implicated in the regulation of feeding has grown steadily over recent years (Inui, 1999). Many of these reduce food intake but some increase it. These are neuropeptide Y, Agouti-related protein (a natural antagonist of the melanocortin-4 receptor), melanin-concentrating hormone, galanin and the orexins. Neuropeptide Y and Agouti-related p...

The number of hypothalamic neuropeptides that have been implicated in the regulation of feeding has grown steadily over recent years (Inui, 1999). Many of these reduce food intake but some increase it. These are neuropeptide Y, Agouti-related protein (a natural antagonist of the melanocortin-4 receptor), melanin-concentrating hormone, galanin and the orexins. Neuropeptide Y and Agouti-related p...