The transgene contains a 5.8 Kb sequence of human dopamine beta-hydroxylase promoter and a 4.6 Kb sequence of the mouse galanin gene. In situ hybridization analysis of brain detects a 5-fold increase in galanin mRNA levels in the locus coeruleus region. Radioimmunoassay reveals a 2-fold increase in gene product peptide level in the forebrain. An increase of galanin-like immunoreactive staining and fiber density is also detected.