It is now recognised that a vast number of peptides are present in the central nervous system and that like classical transmitters some of these peptides may participate in the central regulation of the cardiovascular system. These neuropeptides may be colocalised In neurones with other transmitters, such as catecholamines, in brain areas which include the important cardiovascular regulatory region, the medulla oblongata. The peptides reputedly act either independently or they undertake a neuromodulatory role where they may interact with the function of the costored transmitters. Delineation of the cardiovascular actions and possible interactions of peptides found in regions of cardiovascular significance may assist in the understanding of the labyrinthe mechanisms involved in centrally-mediated haemodynamics
