Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide/vasoactive intestinal peptide (Part 2): biology and clinical importance in central nervous system and inflammatory disorders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss recent advances of vasoactive intestinal peptide/pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (VIP/PACAP) receptors in the selected central nervous system (CNS) and inflammatory disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies provide evidence that PACAP plays an important role in a number of CNS disorders, particularly the pathogenesis of headaches (migraine, etc.) as well as posttraumatic stress disorder and drug/alcohol/smoking addiction. VIP has important therapeutic effects in a number of autoimmune/inflammatory disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis. In some cases, these insights have advanced to therapeutic trials.

SUMMARY: Recent insights from studies of VIP/PACAP and their receptors in both CNS disorders (migraine, posttraumatic stress disorder, addiction [drugs, alcohol, smoking]) and inflammatory disorders [such as rheumatoid arthritis] are suggesting new treatment approaches. The elucidation of the importance of VIP/PACAP system in these disorders combined recent development of specific drugs acting on this system (i.e., monoclonal VIP/PACAP antibodies) will likely lead to importance novel treatment approaches in these diseases.