neuroendocrinología

Neuroendocrinology is the branch of endocrinology and neuroscience that studies the interaction between the nervous system and the endocrine system. It focuses on how the hypothalamus and pituitary gland control the hormonal output of other endocrine glands, thereby regulating a wide range of physiological functions. These functions include growth, metabolism, reproduction, stress response, and mood. Neuroendocrinologists investigate the mechanisms by which neural signals are converted into hormonal signals and how these hormones, in turn, influence neural activity.

The hypothalamus, a key structure in the brain, acts as the central link between the nervous and endocrine systems. It produces releasing and inhibiting hormones that control the anterior pituitary gland, and it also produces hormones like antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin, which are stored and released by the posterior pituitary. The pituitary gland, often called the "master gland," then secretes various hormones that travel through the bloodstream to target other endocrine glands, such as the thyroid, adrenal glands, and gonads. The feedback loops involving these hormones and their effects on the brain are a central area of study in neuroendocrinology. Research in this field has significant implications for understanding and treating conditions like infertility, thyroid disorders, diabetes, and mood disorders.