Neurohormonella

Neurohormonella is a term used in some strands of neuroscience to describe a proposed class of signaling molecules produced by neurons that enter circulating fluids and act on distant targets, thereby functioning as neuroendocrine messengers. The concept is debated and not universally accepted, but it is used to discuss signals that bridge synaptic transmission and systemic hormonal control.

Most neurohormonella are envisioned as peptide fragments, amines, or other small molecules synthesized in neurons and packaged for release at non-synaptic sites. They may be dispatched into interstitial fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, or the bloodstream through specialized secretory pathways. Once released, they bind to receptors on peripheral organs or remote brain regions, producing effects that resemble endocrine signaling rather than direct synaptic transmission.

Signaling mechanisms attributed to neurohormonella can involve a range of receptors, including G protein–coupled receptors, receptor tyrosine kinases, and, in some cases, intracellular or nuclear receptors. Actions may include rapid physiological responses and longer-term changes in gene expression, metabolism, or development, depending on the molecule and target tissue.

Physiological roles proposed for neurohormonella cover stress regulation, energy balance, reproductive function, growth, and circadian timing. Some researchers emphasize roles in coordinating brain and endocrine axes during development or in response to environmental challenges, while others consider the term a heuristic for describing end-organ communication that does not fit neatly into traditional categories.

Current evidence is heterogeneous and methodology-dependent. Neurohormonella remains a controversial and evolving concept, with ongoing work aiming to clarify its definitions, identify candidate molecules, and map their physiological circuits.