The regulation of the organism has traditionally been ascribed to two distinct systems-the nervous and the endocrine. Though coordination between the two systems has been acknowledged, researchers and authors have tended to deal with them as comprising separate categories of cells involved in different activities. With this approach, a given regulatory mechanism would be evaluated as to whether it should be accounted for by nervous or endocrine functions. The past 15 years, however, have witnessed numerous important discoveries and conceptual developments concerning the morphological, physiological, and bio chemical relations between the nervous and endocrine systems. Advances in im munocytochemical studies have revealed that there are a wide variety of messenger substances that function in both regulatory systems. As a result, researchers have been stimulated to investigate neuronlike properties of endocrine cells and, con versely, endocrine or secretory features of neurons. It has thus become obvious that the rigidities in the classic criteria of neurotransmitters and hormones may rather impede further advances in these research fields. The activities of neurons are no longer evaluated simply in terms of EPSP, IPSP, and the release of classic trans mitters such as acetylcholine, noradrenaline, and GABA. Hormonal actions are no longer analyzed solely with regard to concentrations of classic aminic and peptidic hormones in the systemic blood circulation. The concept of the paraneuron, which we proposed in 1975, has become one of the theoretical bases for the development of this trend of study.

Neuropeptides rank among the phylogenetically oldest interneuronal signal substances. In the concept of neuro-secretion they were identified as neurohormones by which - via the blood - the brain regulates peripheral functions. It is now evident that the neuropeptides act as neurotransmitters/-modulators, as (neuro-)hormones, and paracrine or autocrine signal substances in diverse parts of the body. This book reviews, in several comprehensive articles written by distinguished specialists, the state of the art in the field of neuropeptides and peptidergic neurons. Special topics concern molecular aspects of processing, release and degradation of neuropeptides, receptors and signal transduction, comparative and behavioural aspects, and immunoregulatory effects of neuropeptides and their involvement on pathology of the central nervous system.

The Pineal Gland of Vertebrates Including Man

This series of books, "Readings from the Encyclopedia of Neuroscience." consists of collections of subject-clustered articles taken from the Encyclopedia of Neuroscience. The Encyclopedia of Neuroscience is a reference source and compendium of more than 700 articles written by world authorities and covering all of neuroscience. We define neuroscience broadly as including all those fields that have as a primary goal the under standing of how the brain and nervous system work to mediate/control behavior, including the mental behavior of humans. Those interested in specific aspects of the neurosciences, particular subject areas or specialties, can of course browse through the alphabetically arranged articles of the En cyclopedia or use its index to find the topics they wish to read. However. for those readers-students, specialists, or others-who will find it useful to have collections of subject-clustered articles from the Encyclopedia, we issue this series of "Readings" in paperback. Students in neuroscience, psychology, medicine, biology, the mental health professions, and other disciplines will find that these collections provide concise summaries of cutting edge research in rapidly advancing fields. The nonspecialist reader will find them useful summary statements of important neuroscience areas. Each collection was compiled, and includes an introductory essay, by an authority in that field.

Innovative microscopic techniques, introduced during the last two decades, have contributed much to creating a new picture of the dynamic architecture of the cell, which can now be more exactly correlated with specific biochemical and physiopathological events. These developments have led to significant advances in our understanding of the physiomorphological and pathological aspects of the secretory mechanism, as well as the pharmacologic methods used to control, experimentally, the function of exocrine and endocrine glands. The integration of new ultrastructural methods such as freeze-fracture/etching, immunocytochemistry, scanning and high-voltage electron microscopy, cytoautoradiography, etc. , has proven to be of great value when applied to the study of endocrine cells and tissues. Because information on this topic has appeared in a variety of scientific and medical journals, this book: (1) reviews the results of an integrative approach presenting a comprehensive ultrastructural account of the main aspects of the field; (2) points out gaps or controversial topics in our knowledge; and (3) outlines pertinent directions for future research. The chapters, prepared by recognized authorities in the field, present traditional information on the topic in a concise manner and, with a valuable selection of original illustrations, show what the integration of new microscopic methods can contribute to the subject in terms of new concepts. This volume will be useful to cell biologists, anatomists, embryologists, histologists, pharmacologists, pathologists, and, of course, endocrinologists. It will also be of interest to students, practitioners of medicine, and to all others dealing with clinical research and diagnosis.

International Symposium Held at the Department of Anatomy and Cytology Justus Liebig Universität in Gießen, July 30 - August 1, 1986

Advances in Cellular Neurobiology, Volume 2 discusses the central nervous system, focusing on the structure and function of the brain and spinal cord at cellular level and higher brain functions such as learning, memory, and intelligence. This book is divided into three main sections— cell differentiation and interaction, aging and pathology, and methodologies. The topics discussed include APUD cells and paraneurons: embryonic origin; trophic and specifying factors directed to neuronal cells; and cellular aspects of human brain tumors (gliomas). The astrocyte in liver disease; radioenzymatic methods for analysis of neurotransmitters; and application of immunofluorescence in studies of cytoskeletal antigens are also deliberated in this text. This publication is intended for neurologists, but is also beneficial to students researching on the topographical anatomy and functional relation of the brain and spinal cord.

Prolactin Secretion: A Multidisciplinary Approach covers the proceedings of the 1982 symposium on the frontiers and perspective of prolactin secretion through a multidisciplinary approach, convened in Nabor Carrillo Hall of the Natural University of Mexico. The symposium represents a genuine interdisciplinary effort to provide insights into the complexities of prolactin. Separating 24 manuscripts into chapters, this book first discusses studies on the molecular evolution of prolactin (PRL) and the related growth hormones and placental lactogens and the relevance of these studies for biological research on PRL, with particular emphasis on PRL secretion. Significant topics on the physiology, biochemistry, synthesis regulation, structure, function, glycoconjugates, gene expression control, regulatory, and control mechanisms of PRL and its secretion are considered in the subsequent chapters. This book also examines the action(s) of dopamine on the PRL-producing cells, the effects of his-pro diketopiperazine on PRL secretion, and the role of cellular phospholipids and the Ca2+-calmodulin system as modulators of PRL release. The effect of the suckling stimulus on the induction of PRL release in different reproductive states and the role of PRL in parental behavior in selected species of mammals and birds are also considered. The concluding chapters describe the morphologic features of abnormal lactotrophs, the in vivo and in vitro secretory activity exhibited by different types of pituitary adenomas and hyperprolactinemia. This book serves as an important reference for a wide range of investigators and advanced medical students who are engaged in the study of basic and clinical prolactin physiology.

In this compendium of current studies on olfaction and taste - the most comprehensive yet to appear in this series - the chemical senses are elucidated from points of view ranging from anatomy, electrophysiology, molecular biology (especially chemoreceptor gene cloning), biochemistry, and psychophysics to the latest clinical and technological applications of chemosensory research. Specific topics include the structure and function of the tastebud and olfactory epithelium; the genetics and mechanisms of olfactory and taste transduction; the chemistry and function of flavor compounds; the psychophysics of taste and olfaction in daily human life; the brain mechanisms of coding, learning, and memory in olfaction and taste; the clinical assessment of taste and olfaction with special reference to aging and disorders; noninvasive measurements of human olfactory and taste responses for therapeutic purposes; artifical sensing devices; chemoreception in aquatic organisms and other species; and chemosensory transduction in insects. With its multidisciplinary approach, this volume will be an invaluable source of information not only for researchers, clinicians, and students but also for technologists in fields such as artificial sensing, perfumery, brewery, food chemistry, aquafarming, and agriculture.