BIIE-0246 is a drug used in scientific research which acts as a potent and selective
antagonist for the
Neuropeptide Y
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36 amino-acid neuropeptide that is involved in various physiological and homeostatic processes in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. NPY has been identified as the most abundant peptide present in the ma ...
receptor
Y2.
It was one of the first non-peptide Y
2-selective antagonists developed, and remains among the most widely used tools for studying this receptor. It has been used to demonstrate a role for the Y
2 subtype as a presynaptic autoreceptor limiting further neuropeptide Y release,
as well as modulating dopamine
and acetylcholine release.
It has also been shown to produce several behavioural effects in animals, including reducing alcohol consumption in addicted rats
and
anxiolytic
An anxiolytic (; also antipanic or antianxiety agent) is a medication or other intervention that reduces anxiety. This effect is in contrast to anxiogenic agents which increase anxiety. Anxiolytic medications are used for the treatment of anxie ...
effects,
although while selective Y
2 agonists are expected to be useful as
anorectic
An anorectic or anorexic is a drug which reduces appetite, resulting in lower food consumption, leading to weight loss. By contrast, an appetite stimulant is referred to as orexigenic.
The term is (from the Greek ''ἀν-'' (an-) = "without" ...
s,
BIIE-0246 did not appear to increase appetite when administered alone.
References
{{reflist
Neuropeptide Y antagonists
Cyclopentanes