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Peptide Neuromodulators

Meaning

Peptide Neuromodulators are a class of short-chain amino acid compounds that function as signaling molecules within the central and peripheral nervous systems, altering the excitability of neurons and modulating the release of neurotransmitters. Unlike classical neurotransmitters that act rapidly and locally, these peptides typically exert slower, more diffuse, and longer-lasting effects on neural circuits, influencing complex behaviors, mood, pain perception, and the neuroendocrine axis. In hormonal health, these include peptides like kisspeptin, neuropeptide Y, and oxytocin, which directly regulate the hypothalamic control of the pituitary and gonadal glands.