used as an anaesthetic. One such study found that administration of DSIP to humans as an adjunct to isoflurane anaesthesia actually increased the heart rate and reduced the depth of anaesthesia instead of deepening it as expected. Low plasma concentrations of DSIP have been found in patients with Cushing's syndrome. In Alzheimer's patients levels of DSIP have been found to be slightly elevated, though this is unlikely to be causal. A preparation of DSIP, Deltaran, has been used to correct central nervous system function in children after antiblastomic therapy. Ten children aged 3–16 years were given a ten-day course of Deltaran and their bioelectric activity recorded. It was found that the chemotherapy-induced impairment in the bioelectrical activity of 9 out of the 10 children was reduced by administration of DSIP. DSIP can act antagonistically on opiate receptors to significantly inhibit the development of opioid and alcohol dependence and is currently being used in clinical trials to treat withdrawal syndrome. In one such trial it was reported that in 97% of opiate-dependent and 87% of alcohol-dependent patients the symptoms were alleviated by DSIP administration. In some studies administration of DSIP has alleviated narcolepsy and normalized disturbed sleeping patterns. Safety and possible side-effects of long-term DSIP use haven't been established in clinical research studies. References External links "Deltaran" Peptides Sleep physiology