Conference Report: The 28th Annual Winter Neuropeptide Conference
February 3-6, 2007 in Breckenridge, Colorado

There were a total of seven scientific symposia and a poster session. The topic of the first session was the role of neurotransmitters/neuropeptides in regulation of VP and OT secretion. Celia Sladek from the University of Colorado Health Science Center opened the colloquium by discussing the cardiovascular regulation of VP secretion and the neurotransmitters and neuropeptides involved. Francis Flynn of the University of Wyoming spoke about tachykinin NK3 receptor signaling as a final common path in vasopressin and oxytocin hormone release. Then Jan Urban from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science characterized the role of NPY in regulation of VP and OT secretion. Lastly, Steve Bealer of the University of Utah described the neurotransmitters and neuropeptides controlling oxytocin release during lactation.

The second session of the conference dealt with regulation of gene expression. The first speaker, Noel Buckley of Kings College London, reported the transcriptional repression of neuronal genes and the REST regulon. John Quinn from the University of Liverpool discussed the REST/REST 4 regulation of AVP and PPTA genes. Next, Kiyoub Park of the University of Iowa spoke regarding the transcriptional activation of the neuropeptide CGRP by upstream stimulatory factor. John Barrow from the University of Aberdeen examined the evidence for glucocorticoid mediated regulation of substance P expression in the amygdala as a possible mechanistic link between chronic stress and anxiety.

The topic of the next session was the mechanisms of neuropeptidergic modulation of behavior. Scott Wersinger of the University of Buffalo opened the discussion by explaining the mechanisms of oxytocin's and vasopressin's behavioral effects. Robert Ring of WyethAyerst Pharmaceuticals presented the therapeutic implications of oxytocin receptor agonism and anxiolysis in rodents. James Goodson from the University of California, San Diego gave a detailed account of vasotocin and the evolution of sociality. Bruce Cushing concluded the session by addressing the organizational effects of neuropeptides on the development of the brain.

The fourth session was centered on the nasal delivery of peptides. Cory Toth of the University of Calgary presented data suggesting that intranasal insulin ameliorates the neurologic complications of diabetes. Mike Kubek of the Indiana University School of Medicine addressed the issue of intranasal thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) delivery attenuating seizure activity in kindled rats. Leah Hanson from the Alzheimer's Research Center discussed intranasal delivery of growth factors to the CNS.

The focal point of the proceeding session was neuropeptides in pain. The first three presenters were from AstraZeneca. Mark Berner Hansen gave an overview of visceral pain mechanisms and selected news on how neuropeptide receptors link to the viscera in pain conditions related to the gastrointestinal tract. Vicente Martinez presented data suggesting that the gastrointestinal CRF system plays a significant role in motor, sensory and inflammation-related alterations of the gastrointestinal tract. Next, Bengt von Mentzer reported that slow functional NK1 receptor reversibility induces long lasting in-vivo activity and deliberated its importance as an aspect on functionality. Juan Carlos Marvizon from the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System discussed calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptors in the spinal cord and their role in controlling the release of opioids neuropeptides. Andrew Russo of University of Iowa concluded the session by describing a mouse model that may provide the foundation for future mechanism studies of migraines.

The sixth session addressed the question: why are opioids different from psychostimulants as experimental tools to test abuse liability? Alois Saria from the Medical University of Innsbruck explicated the molecular pharmacodynamic differences between opioids and psychostimulants. Gerald Zernig, also from the Medical University of Innsbruck, reported models of abuse liability that work for cocaine but fail for opioids. Then Richard W. Foltin of the NYS Psychiatric Institute examined how psychostimulants differ from opioids in drug abuse patterns and subjective effects in humans.

The last session of the conference was concerned with neuropeptides in the fetal and neonatal period. David Somerset from the John Hunter Hospital, New South Wales, Australia, opened the session by discussing placental neuropeptides, physiology and function. Quetzal Class from the University of California, Irvine explained how exposure to maternal and placental peptides influences fetal development, and Curt Sandman, also from the University of California, Irvine, demonstrated how this exposure influences infant development.

In addition, a poster session was hosted that included a variety of topics.

Financial Report

Travel and Expenses

Andrew Russo, Program Chair	$ 1.400
John Quinn, Program Chair	$ 1.400
Deb Edwards, Conference Coordinator	$ 1.200
Total	$ 4.000
ISN support	$ 4.000