The effects of neurotensin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and other neuropeptides on the secretion of somatostatin from cerebral cortical cells.

We have examined the effects of several neuropeptides on the release of immunoreactive somatostatin from cerebral cortical cells in vitro. Neurotensin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide induced large increases in somatostatin release, whereas cholecystokinin, gonadotropin releasing hormone and Met-enkephalin induced only modest increases. Thyrotropin releasing hormone and insulin had no effect. These results demonstrate a complex interaction amongst neuropeptides in the cerebral cortex, which must be considered in future studies of the roles of peptides in cortical function.