An Introduction to Neuroendocrinology - R. Brown (Cambridge, 1994) WW

431 Pages·1994·13.33 MB·English

This book is designed as an introductory text in neuroendocrinology - the
study of the interaction between the brain and endocrine system and the
influence of this on behavior. The endocrine glands, pituitary gland and
hypothalamus and their interactions and hormones are discussed. The
action of steroid and thyroid hormone receptors and the regulation of
target cell response to hormones are examined. The function of neuro-
peptides is discussed with respect to the neuroendocrine system and
behavior. The neuroimmune system and cytokines are described and the
interaction between the neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems
discussed. Finally, methods for studying hormonal influences on behav-
ior are outlined. Each chapter has review questions designed for introduc-
tory students, and essay questions for more advanced honours or gradu-
ate students.
This book is written for undergraduates and graduates in biology,
neuroscience, psychology and physiology, and will be of interest to those
in related disciplines.

AN INTRODUCTION TO NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY

An introduction to
neuroendocrinology

RICHARD E. BROWN

Professor of Psychology, Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

CAMBRIDGE
UNIVERSITY PRESS

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, Sao Paulo

Cambridge University Press

The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 2RU, UK

Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York

www. Cambridge. org
Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521416450
© Cambridge University Press 1994

This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception
and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,
no reproduction of any part may take place without
the written permission of Cambridge University Press.

First published 1994
Reprinted 1994,1997, 1998,2000, 2002

A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication data
Brown, Richard E.
An introduction to neuroendocrinology / Richard E. Brown.
p. cm.
ISBN 0 521 41645 0 (hardback) ISBN 0 521 42665 0 (pbk.)
1. Neuroendocrinology. I. Title.
[DNLM:
1. Neuroendocrinology.
WL102B879i
1993]
QP356.4.B76 1993
612.8-dc20
DNLM/DLC
for Library of Congress
93-14802 CIP

ISBN-13 978-0-521-41645-0 hardback
ISBN-10 0-521-41645-0 hardback

ISBN-13 978-0-521-42665-7 paperback
ISBN-10 0-521-42665-0 paperback

Transferred to digital printing 2005

Every effort has been made in preparing this publication to provide accurate and
up-to-date information which is in accord with accepted standards and practice
at the time of publication. Although case histories are drawn from actual cases,
every effort has been made to disguise the identities of the individuals involved.
Nevertheless, the authors, editors and publishers can make no warranties that the
information contained herein is totally free from error, not least because clinical
standards are constantly changing through research and regulation. The authors
editors and publishers therefore disclaim all liability for direct or consequential
damages resulting from the use of material contained in this publication. Readers
are strongly advised to pay careful attention to information provided by the
manufacturer of any drugs or equipment that they plan to use.

This book is dedicated to the more than 2000 Dalhousie University
students who have taken Hormones and Behaviour over the last 14
years and who have encouraged me to write this book, especially
those who gave critical comments on the first three drafts of the
book.

Contents

Preface
page xiii
Acknowledgements
xv
Illustration credits
xvi
List of abbreviations
xix

1
Classification of chemical messengers
1
1.1
Hormones, the brain and behavior
1
1.2
The body's three communication systems
3
1.3
Methods of communication between cells
5
1.4
Types of chemical messenger
6
1.5
Neuroregulators: neuromodulators and neuropeptides
13
1.6
Summary
15

2
The endocrine glands and their hormones
19
2.1
The endocrine glands
19
2.2
The hormones of the endocrine glands
20
2.3
Summary
27

3
The pituitary gland and its hormones
30
3.1
The pituitary gland
3 0
3.2
The hormones of the pituitary gland
3 3
3.3
The endorphins
3 6
3.4
Pituitary hormones in the brain
3 7
3.5
Summary
37

4
The hypothalamic hormones
40
4.1
The functions of the hypothalamus
40
4.2
Hypothalamic neurosecretory cells
41
4.3
The neuroendocrine transducer concept
44
4.4
The hypothalamic hypophysiotropic hormones
4 5
4.5
Complexities of hypothalamic-pituitary interactions
50
4.6
Summary
52

5 Neurotransmitters
56
5.1
Categories of neurotransmitters
57
5.2
The nerve cell and the synapse
60
5.3
Neurotransmitter biosynthesis and storage
61
5.4
The release of neurotransmitters and their action at
receptors
65
5.5
Receptors for neurotransmitters
6 5
5.6
Deactivation of neurotransmitters
6 9

IX