Researchers looked at where the brain peptide DSIP is found in the hypothalamus of babies during the first year of life. They saw that DSIP cells are few and scattered, while its fibers are spread throughout the region, and the amount of DSIP changes as the baby ages. This suggests DSIP may be involved in brain development and early‑life bodily functions.

The distribution of DSIP-IR cell bodies and fibers was investigated in the normal human hypothalamus during the first postnatal year using the indirect immunofluorescence technique. The analysis of the immunohistochemical patterns obtained in the seven cases analyzed showed regional differences in the localization of cell bodies and fibers. Immunoreactive perikarya were relatively few, and were mostly scattered throughout the anterior and the mediobasal hypothalamus. DSIP-IR fibers and terminal-like structures were observed throughout the rostro-caudal extent of the hypothalamic region. In the present study, we noticed qualitative changes in the density of DSIP immunoreactivity in several hypothalamic structures such as the preoptic area and the median eminence with respect to age. These postnatal differences observed for DSIP could be related to neuronal maturation processes occurring at this period in the central nervous system as well as other physiological processes controlling the evolution of DSIP concentrations. These data are compatible with the proposed role of the neuropeptide in the regulation of many postnatal physiological functions.