Abstract: The present invention provides a transgenic mouse and an animal model that is used to assay for the inhibition or activation of the Cnr2 gene and methods for screening drugs to treat or prevent psychosis, anxiety, depression, autism disorders, drug addiction, Parkinson's disease and/or Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, inflammation, stroke, osteoporosis, scleroderma or cancer.

Abstract: Described herein is the identification of primate-specific glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor opposite strand (GDNFOS) transcripts and encoded peptides. In particular embodiments, provided herein are three GDNFOS antisense transcripts, referred to as GDNFOS-1, GDNFOS-2 and GDNFOS-3. The GDNFOS-3 transcript encodes an ORF of 105 amino acids. Compositions comprising the GDNFOS transcripts and peptides are also provided by the present disclosure. Further provided are methods of treating a neurodegenerative or peripheral organ disease in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the disclosed GDNFOS nucleic acid molecules, peptides or compositions.