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Neuropeptides

Meaning

Small, protein-like molecules synthesized and released by neurons, acting as chemical messengers to influence the activity of other neurons or target cells throughout the body. Unlike classical neurotransmitters, which are typically recycled rapidly, neuropeptides are synthesized in the cell body, transported down the axon, and exert more prolonged, modulatory effects on physiological processes. They are integral to regulating complex behaviors, including appetite, pain perception, sleep, and emotional processing.