Neuroendocrinology is a discipline which originated about 50 years ago as a branch of Endocrinology and that is now strictly linked to neuroscience. Volumes 181 and 182 of Progress in Brain Research provide a rapid view of the major points presently discussed at biological and clinical levels. The chapters have been written by top scientists who are directly involved in basic or clinical research and who use the most sophisticated biotechnological techniques. The volumes cover of the role of genetics in many endocrine-related events, like neuroendocrinological diseases and endocrine depenedent cancers (prostate, breast, etc,). Interesting information is also provided on possibile treatments of neurodegenerative brain diseases (e.g., Alzheimer and similar syndromes).* The best researchers in the field provide their conclusions in the context of the latest experimental results * Chapters are extensively referenced to provide readers with a comprehensive list of resources on the topics covered * Of great value for researchers and experts, but also for students as a background reference

Neuroendocrinology is a discipline which originated about 50 years ago as a branch of Endocrinology and that is now strictly linked to neuroscience. Volumes 181 and 182 of Progress in Brain Research provide a rapid view of the major points presently discussed at biological and clinical levels. The chapters have been written by top scientists who are directly involved in basic or clinical research and who use the most sophisticated biotechnological techniques. The volumes cover of the role of genetics in many endocrine-related events, like neuroendocrinological diseases and endocrine depenedent cancers (prostate, breast, etc,). Interesting information is also provided on possibile treatments of neurodegenerative brain diseases (e.g., Alzheimer and similar syndromes).* The best researchers in the field provide their conclusions in the context of the latest experimental results * Chapters are extensively referenced to provide readers with a comprehensive list of resources on the topics covered * Of great value for researchers and experts, but also for students as a background reference

1;Cover;22;Other volumes in Progress in Brain Research;33;Title Page;44;Copyright Page;55;List of Contributors;66;"en guise d'introduction ...'';87;Contents;108;Chapter 1 Cellular signalling: peptide hormones and growth factors ;128.1;Abstract;128.2;Keywords;128.3;Historical survey;128.4;Cell surface events: the initiation of signalling;138.5;The signalling endosome; patterns of intracellular signalling158.6;Endosomal signalling: requirements and regulation in health and disease;198.7;Acknowledgements;218.8;Abbreviations;218.9;References;229;Chapter 2 Neuroendocrine control of energy homeostasis: update on new insights;289.1;Abstract;289.2;Keywords;289.3;Introduction;289.4;Neuroanatomy of hypothalamic circuitries involved in energy homeostasis;309.5;Appetite regulating network;309.6;Energy expending network;329.7;Fat accrual network;339.8;Peripheral feedback signals in the hypothalamic integration of energy homeostasis;339.9;Mechanisms underlying dysregulation of energy homeostasis and obesity in rodents and humans;359.10;Conclusion;399.11;Acknowledgement;399.12;Abbreviations;399.13;References;3910;Chapter 3 Reproductive behaviors: new developments in concepts and in molecular mechanisms;4610.1;Abstract;4610.2;Keywords;4610.3;Introduction;4610.4;Generalized arousal and its impact on sex behaviors;4610.5;Mechanisms initiating generalized and sexual arousal in humans;4910.6;Chromatin: steroid hormone-induced covalent modifications of histone tails;4910.7;References;5211;Chapter 4 Interactions between the immune and neuroendocrine systems;5411.1;Abstract;5411.2;Keywords;5411.3;Introduction;5411.4;Concluding remarks;6111.5;Acknowledgments;6311.6;References;6312;Chapter 5 Physiological roles of the kisspeptin/GPR54 system in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction;6612.1;Abstract;6612.2;Keywords;6612.3;Introduction;6612.4;Kisspeptins and GPR54: discovery and proposed nomenclature;6712.5;Neuroanatomy of kisspeptin neurons in mammals;6912.6;Kisspeptins and the control of gonadotropin secretion: roles and mechanisms;7012.7;Kisspeptin neurons: roles in sexual differentiation and puberty onset;7212.8;Kisspeptin neurons: roles in feedback control of gonadotropins;7412.9;Metabolic regulation of the kisspeptin system;7612.10;Other regulators of the kisspeptin system: neuropeptides, hormones and environmental cues ;7812.11;Kisspeptins in year 2010: future challenges and expected developments;7912.12;Acknowledgements;8312.13;Abbreviations;8312.14;References;8313;Chapter 6 Regulation of complex pulsatile and rhythmic neuroendocrine systems: the male gonadal axis as a prototype;9013.1;Abstract;9013.2;Keywords;9013.3;Introduction;9013.4;Hypothalamo-pituitary-target organ systems;9213.5;Integrating pulsatile and 24-hour rhythmic secretion patterns;9413.6;Quantification of ensemble control;9513.7;Control of a neuroendocrine ensemble;10513.8;System-level adaptations in pathophysiology;10813.9;Appraisal of negative feedback in a neuroendocrine system;10813.10;Ensemble estimates of neuroendocrine dynamics;11013.11;Innovative prospects;11613.12;Acknowledgments;11613.13;Abbreviations;11613.14;References;11714;Chapter 7 Physiological significance of the rhythmic secretion of hypothalamic and pituitary hormones;12214.1;Abstract;12214.2;Keywords;12214.3;Introduction;12314.4;Neurohumoral regulation of growth hormone secretion;12314.5;Regulation of corticotrophic function and action;12714.6;Regulation of thyrotroph function;12914.7;Regulation of lactotroph function;13014.8;Physiological significance of pulsatile oxytocin secretion;13114.9;Discussion;13114.10;Abbreviations;13214.11;References;13315;Chapter 8 Melatonin: a multitasking molecule;13815.1;Abstract;13815.2;Keywords;13815.3;Introduction;13815.4;Melatonin synthesis, release and catabolism;13915.5;Melatonin synthesis: light regulation;14115.6;Melatonin: receptors and signal transduction mech