The endocrine nervous system: source and target for neuroactive steroids
1Department of Anatomy, Pharmacology and Forensic Medicine and Neuroscience Institute of Turin, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, University of Torino, C.so M. D'Azeglio 52, 10126 Torino, Italy. giancarlo.panzica@unito.it
Brain Research Reviews
|March 22, 2008
Summary
The endocrine brain involves more than the hypothalamus. Steroid hormones interact extensively with the nervous system, impacting both normal and pathological conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Steroid hormone signaling
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Traditionally, the endocrine brain was narrowly defined by the hypothalamus-hypophysis axis.
- Recent discoveries reveal widespread steroid hormone receptors in neural tissues.
- Neural cells can synthesize and metabolize steroids, creating neuroactive steroids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the crucial role of steroid-nervous system interactions.
- To provide an overview of these relationships, emphasizing recent findings.
- To showcase research presented in this special issue.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on steroid hormone distribution.
- Analysis of studies on neurosteroid synthesis and metabolism.
- Synthesis of findings related to neuroendocrine regulation.
Main Results:
- Steroid hormone receptors are broadly distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems.
- Neuroactive steroids play significant roles in neural regulation.
- These interactions are critical in both physiological and pathological states.
Conclusions:
- The concept of the endocrine brain needs expansion beyond the hypothalamus-hypophysis.
- Steroid-nervous system interactions are fundamental to regulatory processes.
- Further research into neurosteroids is essential for understanding neurological health and disease.
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