EXHIBIT 23.1


              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG L.L.P., INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

         We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption  "Experts" in
the  Registration  Statement on Form S-3 and related  Prospectus  of  Neurocrine
Biosciences,  Inc. for the registration of shares of its common stock and to the
incorporation by reference  therein of our report dated January 26, 1999 (except
for Note 13,  as to which  the date is  March  2,  1999),  with  respect  to the
consolidated  financial statements of Neurocrine  Biosciences,  Inc. included in
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998,  filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                     ERNST & YOUNG, L.L.P.


San Diego, California
January 18, 2000


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