Dudas B. (ed.) The Human Hypothalamus: Anatomy, Functions and Disorders

Nova Science Publishers, 2013. — 448 p.The hypothalamus is a particularly complex part of the brain; it represents only a fragment of the brain volume and yet it is considered as one the most important regions involved in maintaining homeostasis and in the resulting survival of the individual. Since most of the experimental data in the scientific literature are based on animal studies, there is an emerging need for a volume that provides a review of the current research and knowledge of the major hypothalamic functions in humans. This book is intended to tackle these functions and the ensuing morphological and pathological aspects in order to give the reader a cross section of the most recent data and major trends in the current hypothalamic research in a convenient, compact format.Historical Overview
Gross Anatomy and Vascular Supply
Paraventricular and Supraoptic Nuclei
Intermediate Nucleus of Brockhaus
Nuclei Associated with the Mammillary Body
Fornix
Medial Forebrain Bundle
Stria Medullaris
Periventricular Fiber System
Mamillotegmental TractAnatomy of the Arcuate Nucleus
The Arcuate Nucleus and the Blood-Brain Barrier
Chemical Lesioning of the ARC as A Tool to Investigate the Function of the ARC
Responsiveness of the ARC to Circulating Nutrients
Gomori-Positive Astrocytes of the ARC
Responsiveness of the ARC to Circulating Hormones
Plasticity of Anatomy and Function of the ARC
Clinical Disorders and the ARCNeuropeptide Y (NPY) System
Substance P System
Β–Endorphin- System
Leu-Enkephalin System
Galanin System
CRH System
GnRH System
GHRH System
Somatostatinergic System
GALP System
Kisspeptin SystemDistribution and Morphology of Oxytocinergic and Vasopressinergic Elements in the Human Hypothalamus
Oxytocinergic and Vasopressinergic Projections in the Human Hypothalamus
Effects of steroids on OT and AVP Neuroanatomy
Functions of Oxytocin in Humans
Functions of AVP in Humans
Stress and OT and AVP: Catecholaminergic Input to OT and AVP Neurons
Relationship of Nonapeptides to Gonadal Steroids and Steroid-Binding GlobulinsThe Catecholaminergic System – Introductory Remarks
Hypothalamic Adrenergic System
DBH-IR Elements of the Diencephalon
TH-IR Elements of the Diencephalon
Associations between the Catecholaminergic Elements
Summary and ConclusionGnRH and the Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal Axis
The Morphology and Distribution of GnRH Neurons in Human
Estrogen and Gonad Regulation
Potential Neurotransmitter Systems Mediating the Effect of Estrogen on LH Release
Neuropeptide Y (NPY)
Substance P (SP)
β-endorphin
Leu-enkephalin
Galanin
GALP
Kisspeptin
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
CatecholaminesThe Morphology of the Hypothalamic GHRH System
The Hypothalamic Somatostatinergic System
Stress and Growth
NPY and GHRH
Catecholaminergic Control of GHRH Release
Other Neurotransmitter/Hormonal Systems Influencing GrowthVagal Efferent Output
Vagal Afferent Input and Solitary Nucleus as a Medullary Integrative Center
The Sympatho-Vagal Imbalance as a Cause of Cardiovascular Deficiency
Hypothalamic Control of Circulation and Cardiovascular Deficiency
Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus and Impairment of Autonomic Cardiovascular Regulation
The PVN as a Central Site of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Cardiovascular Deficiency
PVN CRH But Not Brainstem CRH is Activated in Hypertensive Patients
PVN-CRH Influence on SCN is Enhanced in Hypertensive Patients
The Suprachiasmatic Nucleus as a Pacemaker of Circadian Rhythmicity and Cardiovascular Insufficiency
Vasopressin (VP) Neurons
Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP) Neurons
Projections of the SCN
Other Hypothalamic Changes in Hypertensive PatientsHistorical Overview
POMC Neurons Controlling Food Intake and Body Weight
POMC Neurons Regulate Whole Body Glucose Homeostasis
Agrp Neurons Regulate Food Intake and Body Weight
GABA Signaling in the ARC
Hormonal Regulation of Agrp Neurons
VMH
Orexin
MCH
Hypothalamic Synaptic Plasticity Regulates Food Intake
Post-Translational ModificationsOrganization of the Human SCN
Vasopressin in the SCN
Vasopressin as an Output Signal of the SCN
SCN Vasopressin in Human Health and Disease
The SCN – Pineal ComplexCutaneous Thermoreception
Lateral Parabrachial Nucleus
Cutaneous Vasoconstriction Regulates Heat Loss
Thermogenesis in Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT)
Cardiac Thermogenesis
Shivering Thermogenesis
Temperature Sensation within the Preoptic Area (POA)
Sensorimotor Integration of Thermoregulation in the POA
Dorsomedial Hypothalamus (DMH) Contributes to the Hypothalamic Regulation of BAT Thermogenesis
Hypothalamic Regulation of Shivering Thermogenesis
Hypothalamic Regulation of Cutaneous Vasoconstriction
The Paraventricular Hypothalamus (PVH) in Thermoregulation
Monoamines in POA Influence Body Temperature
Febrile Response to The Pyrogenic Mediator, Prostaglandin E (PGE)The Posterior Hypothalamus
History of Histamine as a Neurotransmitter
Anatomical Considerations
Histamine in Wakefulness
History of Orexin/Hypocretin as a Modulator of Sleep/Wake
Preoptic Area
The Ventrolateral Preoptic Area (VLPO)
The Median Preoptic Area (MnPO)
The Magnocellular Preoptic Area (MgPO)
The Biological Clock: Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)The "Endocrine" and the "Neural" Hypothalamus - An Introduction
The Stress Response
Yin-Yang Properties
Sex Differences
How the PVN Translates Limbic Information into Endocrine Signals?
The Lateral Septum
The Amygdala
Laboratory Studies
Human StudiesThe Role of AVP
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis
Human Studies
Neurohypophyseal Hormones (AVP, OT)
Aggression and Anxiety
Behavioral Responses Elicited by Hypothalamic Stimulation
Aggression
Fear and Anxiety
The Hypothalamic Defense System
Comparisons between Models
Laboratory Studies
Human Studies
Laboratory Findings
Overall ConclusionAge-Related Changes in the Infundibular Nucleus
Age Related Changes in the Suprachiasmatic Nuclei
Age Related Changes in the Paraventricular and Supraoptic Nuclei
Age Related Changes in Neurotransmitters in the Hypothalamus