Front Cover -- Handbook of Neuroendocrinology -- Copyright -- Contents -- List of "How Do We Know?" Boxes -- Preface -- About the Editors -- List of Contributors -- Notes on Nomenclature -- Catecholamines -- Corticotropin-Releasing Factor/Hormone -- Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)/LHRH -- Reference -- Part I - Basic Principles of Neuroendocrinology -- Chapter 1 - An Introduction to Neuroendocrine Systems -- Neuroendocrinology Defined -- Neurosecretion -- The Basic Anatomy of Neuroendocrine Systems -- Neurosecretory Cells -- Neuroendocrine Transduction and Neuroendocrine Systems -- Basic Aspects of Neuroendocrine Integration -- Cellular Mechanisms of Neuroendocrine Integration -- Clinical Neuroendocrinology -- The Study of Neuroendocrinology -- Summary -- References -- Chapter 2 - Neuroendocrine GPCR Signaling -- Principles and Classes of Receptors in Neuroendocrine Signaling -- GPCR General Structure and Classification -- Atomic-Level Structure of GPCRs -- Receptor Mechanism of Activation -- Biophysical Approaches to GPCR Structure and Function -- G-Protein Coupling of GPCRs -- G-Protein Effectors -- Non-G-Protein Coupling -- Ligand-Induced Selective Signaling (LiSS) -- Desensitization of GPCRs -- Intracellular Signaling by Major Neuroendocrine GPCR Regulators -- Novel Neuroendocrine GPCRs Regulating Reproduction: Integrated Neuronal Regulation of GnRH -- Dysfunction of GPCR Signaling in Disease -- References -- Chapter 3 - Neuroendocrine Feedback Control Systems: An Introduction -- Introduction -- The Neuroendocrine HPA Control System -- Interaction Between Negative Feedback and Circadian Rhythm in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) System -- Corticosteroid Feedback on the Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland: Phase Differences -- Glucocorticoid Feedback Effects on Stress Neurohormone Biosynthesis.

Role of Hippocampus and Amygdala in Glucocorticoid Negative Feedback -- Glucocorticoid Negative Feedback at the Pituitary Level -- Possible Role of 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase -- Functional Importance of Glucocorticoid Negative Feedback -- Clinical Manifestations of Disordered Glucocorticoid Feedback Regulation of the HPA System -- HPA Feedback Control: Summarized -- Relevance for the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid and -Gonadal Axes: Set Points -- References -- Chapter 4 - Evolution of Reproductive Neurohormones -- Introduction -- GnRH and its Superfamily of Peptides -- References -- GnRH Receptor Superfamily -- References -- Kisspeptin and its Receptor -- The Origin of Reproductive Hormones -- The Pituitary Link between Brain and Gonad: a Vertebrate Innovation -- Conclusions -- Future Studies -- References -- Part II - Neural Regulation of Endocrine Systems -- Chapter 5 - Neural Control of the Anterior Lobe of the Pituitary Gland (Pars Distalis) -- Introduction -- Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis -- References -- Neurohemal Junctions and Circumventricular Organs -- Neurohormonal Control of Anterior Pituitary Hormone Secretion -- References -- Pituitary Target Hormonal Effects on the Nervous System -- Reflections on Neuroendocrine Contributions to Science and Medicine -- References -- Chapter 6 - Neural Control of the Posterior Pituitary Gland (Neurohypophysis) -- Introduction -- History -- References -- Physiological Functions of Vasopressin -- Physiological Functions of Oxytocin -- Behavioral Effects of Oxytocin and Vasopressin -- Pathophysiology of the Neurohypophysial Systems -- References -- Chapter 7 - Neural Control of the Intermediate Lobe of the Pituitary Gland (Pars Intermedia) and Proopiomelanocortin -- Introduction -- Development and Anatomy of the Pars Intermedia.

Regulated Expression and Processing of Proopiomelanocortin in the Pars Intermedia -- Hypothalamic Regulatory Factors -- Additional Regulatory Transmitters and Neuromodulatory Peptides -- Central Neuroendocrine Regulation of the Pars Intermedia -- Physiological Functions of the Pars Intermedia -- Pathophysiology of the Pars Intermedia -- Summary and Future Questions -- References -- Chapter 8 - The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Neuroendocrine Responses to Stress -- Introduction -- Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis -- Stress Influences on other Neuroendocrine Systems -- References -- Chapter 9 - Neuroendocrine Control of Reproduction -- Introduction -- Development of the GnRH System and Location Within the Brain -- Pituitary Gonadotropes and Gonadotropins -- Gonadal Steroid Feedback on the GnRH/Gonadotropin System -- Gonadotropin Inhibitory Hormone (GnIH) -- Control of FSH secretion -- Feedback Regulation of GnRH and the Gonadotropins During the Estrous/Menstrual Cycle -- Future Directions -- References -- Chapter 10 - Lifetime Regulation of Growth Hormone (GH) Secretion -- Overview of GH Axis -- Hypothalamic Drive and Restraint -- Summary -- References -- Chapter 11 - Neuroendocrine Regulation of Development, Growth and Metabolism - Thyroid -- Introduction -- Thyroid Physiology -- Thyroid Hormone and Metabolism -- Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 12 - Circadian Rhythms in Neuroendocrine Systems -- Major Mechanisms Controlling Neuroendocrine and Endocrine Rhythms -- Neurendocrine Rhythms -- Conditions of Altered Sleep and Circadian Rhythmicity -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 13 - Cardiovascular Neuroendocrinology -- Introduction -- The Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus -- Circulating and Local Production of the Angiotensins -- Cardiac Hormones -- Vascular Hormones -- Gastrointestinal Hormones -- Conclusions.

Future Directions -- References -- Part III - Hormones, Brain Function and Behavior -- Chapter 14 - Neuroendocrine Regulation of Food Intake -- Introduction -- What is Feeding Behavior and how is it Related to Energy Metabolism? -- Network Models for the Integration of the Neuroendocrine, Autonomic, and Behavioral Motor Components -- Metabolic Hormones and their Impact on the Brain -- Metabolic Signals and the Hormones of the Pars Distalis of the Pituitary Gland -- Neuroendocrine Signals and the Integration of Energy Metabolism with Reproductive Function -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 15 - Neuropeptide Regulation of Stress-Induced Behavior: Insights from the CRF/Urocortin Family -- Introduction: The CRF Family of Peptides and Receptors -- Central Administration of CRF/Ucn1 -- CNS Sites of Action of CRF/Ucn1 -- The CRFR2/Urocortin Central System -- Genetically Altered Mice -- Dysregulation of the CRF System: Mood Disorders -- Concluding Remarks -- References -- Chapter 16 - Neuroendocrine Regulation of Body Water and Electrolytes: Thirst and Salt Appetite -- Introduction -- Thirst -- Salt Appetite -- Summary and Remaining Questions -- References -- Chapter 17 - Sexual Differentiation of Brain and Behavior -- Introduction -- Sex Determination Precedes Sex Differentiation -- Sexual Differentiation of the Brain Occurs During a Sensitive Period -- There are Specific Roles for Different Hormones in Sexual Differentiation of the Brain -- Reproductive Behaviors are Determined by Sexual Differentiation of the Brain -- Reproductive Physiology is Determined by Sexual Differentiation of the Brain -- Sex Differences in the Brain Underlie Sex Differences in Reproductive Behavior and Physiology -- Steroid-Mediated Cell Death During a Sensitive Period Establishes Sex Differences in the Size of Particular Brain Regions.

Steroids Either Promote or Inhibit Synaptogenesis in Particular Brain Regions During the Sensitive Period -- Steroids Modulate Brain Regions not Directly Tied to Sexual Differentiation, but the Mechanisms are Unique -- Summary -- Outstanding Questions for the Future -- References -- Chapter 18 - Corticosteroid Actions on Neurotransmission -- Introduction -- Measuring Corticosteroid Actions on Neurotransmission -- Rapid Effects of Corticosteroids on Neurotransmission -- Slow Gene-Mediated Effects of Corticosteroids on Neurotransmission -- Concluding Remarks -- References -- Chapter 19 - Neuroendocrine Mechanism of Puberty -- Introduction -- Description of Puberty -- Development of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis -- Genes Controlling the Timing of Puberty -- Neuroendocrine Mechanism of Puberty Onset -- Adolescent Brain -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 20 - Sexual Behaviors -- Introduction -- Which Hormones are Involved in Mediating Male and Female Sexual Behavior? -- Where in the Brain do Hormones Act to Facilitate Sexual Behavior in Males and Females? -- What is Known About the Neural Circuitry Underlying Male and Female Sexual Behavior? -- How do Hormones Turn on Genes Involved in Facilitating Male and Female Sexual Behavior? -- What is the Evidence for Extranuclear (Non-Genomic) Actions of Gonadal Steroid Hormones in Brain? -- What is the Clinical Relevance of Understanding how Gonadal Hormones Act in Brain to Modulate Sexual Behavior? -- Summary -- Outstanding New Questions for the Future -- References -- Chapter 21 - Stress and Brain Function -- Introduction -- Defining Stress, and the History of Stress Research -- The Stress Axis - From Brain to Adrenal and Back -- Effects of Stress Hormones on Brain Function -- Stress Effects on Behavior -- Allostasis and Allostatic Overload -- Stresses of Modern Life -- Summary and Conclusions.

Questions Arising.