Galanin receptors can be found throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems and the endocrine system. So far three subtypes are known to exist: GAL-R1, GAL-R2, and GAL-R3.[2] The specific function of each subtype remains to be fully elucidated, although as of 2009 great progress is currently being made in this respect with the generation of receptor subtype-specific knockout mice,[3][4] and the first selective ligands for galanin receptor subtypes. Selective galanin agonists are anticonvulsant,[5][6][7] while antagonists produce antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in animals,[8][9][10][11][12] so either agonist or antagonist ligands for the galanin receptors may be potentially therapeutic compounds in humans.
^Lang R, Gundlach AL, Kofler B (2007). "The galanin peptide family: receptor pharmacology, pleiotropic biological actions, and implications in health and disease". Pharmacol. Ther. 115 (2): 177–207. doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2007.05.009. PMID17604107.
^Kuteeva E, Wardi T, Lundström L, Sollenberg U, Langel U, Hökfelt T, Ogren SO (October 2008). "Differential role of galanin receptors in the regulation of depression-like behavior and monoamine/stress-related genes at the cell body level". Neuropsychopharmacology. 33 (11): 2573–85. doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1301660. PMID18172432. S2CID10273560.