Hypothalamus: Brainstem Interactions in Homeostasis

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of research interest in the role of the hypothalamus in a variety of regulatory and behavioral functions, from feeding and energy homeostasis to circadian rhythms, thermoregulation and blood pressure control. Nearly every homeostatic function influenced by the hypothalamus is subject to a dysregulation that becomes manifest in a disease process. Elucidating the neuropharmacology of the hypothalamic-brainstem circuits that play such a significant role in homeostatic regulation can contribute to the design of novel therapeutic approaches. In assembling the most recent knowledge about the structural and functional organization of hypothalamic-brainstem autonomic pathways regulating homeostasis and reproduction, this book provides a unique opportunity to appreciate the multifaceted role of hypothalamic neural circuits in maintaining homeostasis, to understand the critical role played by hypothalamic-brainstem interactions and to recognize the many parallels in organization and occurrences of cross-talk among the hypothalamic regulatory systems TOC:Hypothalamus-brainstem pathways.- Hypothalamic projections to brainstem nuclei.- Hypothalamic peptidergic inputs to the brainstem Fluid and blood pressure regulation.- Hypothalamic - brainstem pathways in the modulation of baroreceptor reflex function.- Median preoptic, Paraventricular nucleus osmotic regulation, Ang II, renal sympathetic, fluid balance.- Paraventricular nucleus brainstem autonomic mechanisms in heart failure Stress responses.- Dorsomedial hypothalamus pons/raphe in heart rate and defense response.- Dorsomedial hypothalamus brainstem in the regulation of ACTH release Temperature regulation.- Preoptic and dorsomedial hypothalamus brainstem in thermogenesis.- Hypothalamus brainstem in cutaneous vasoconstriction.- Posterior hypothalamus brainstem in shivering Energy homeostasis.- Arcuate paraventricular lateral hypothalamus interactions with brainstem circuits in regulation of food intake.- Hypothalamus nucleus of the tractus solitarius in satiety/appetite.- Hypothalamus brainstem influences on blood glucose.- Hypothalamus brainstem in energy expenditure Regulation of pelvic organs.- Preoptic hypothalamus Barringtons in micturition.- Preoptic hypothalamus raphe in reproduction Circadian and sleep regulation.- Dorsomedial hypothalamus brainstem in circadian rhythms.- Lateral hypothalamus (orexin) brainstem in sleep regulation.- Hypothalamus brainstem in pineal (melatonin) regulation Respiratory regulation.- Hypothalamic - brainstem pathways in the control of respiration.- Hypothalamic - brainstem pathways in the modulation of chemoreceptor reflex function