Neuroendocrinology Flashcards
Two lobes of the pituitary gland
Anterior
Posterior
Condition associated with increased levels of growth hormone
Acromegaly in adults
Gigantism in children
Condition associated with decreased levels of growth hormone
Dwarfism
Factors which can increase growth hormone release
Exercise
Sleep
Stress
Effect of anorexia nervosa on growth hormone
High levels of growth hormone
Decreased levels of IGF 1 which should be released in response to growth hormone
Resistance to growth hormone
Hypothalamus effects on prolactin
Dopamine release inhibits prolactin
TRH increases prolactin
Physiological states causing increased prolactin levels
Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Sleep
Exercise
Effect of antipsychotics on prolactin release
Remove the inhibitory control of dopamine by D2 receptor blockade
Effects of hyperprolactinaemia
Galactorrhoea
Gynaecomastia in males
Osteoporosis over long term
Roles of ADH aside from fluid balance
Attention
Memory
Learning
Factors which increase ADH release
Pain Stress Exercise Morphine Nicotine Barbiturates
Substance which decreases ADH secretion
Alcohol
Hormones released from the anterior pituitary
GH - growth hormone LH, FSH ACTH TSH Prolactin Melanocyte stimulating hormone
Hormones released from the posterior pituitary gland
ADH
Oxytocin
Hormones released from the hypothalamus
CRH GHRH GnRH TRH SST Dopamine
Effect of somatostatin on growth hormone
Inhibits release
Hypothalamic hormone which stimulates release of TSH from the pituitary
Thyrotrophin releasing hormone
Hormones released by the thyroid in response to TSH release by the pituitary
T4
T3
More biologically active form of thyroid hormone
T3
Condition T3 and T4 supplementation can be used as an adjunct for, especially in women
Depression
Effect of exogenous administration of thyroid hormones on the serotonin system
Increased serotonergic transmission
Psychotropic medication known to cause hypothyroidism
Lithium
Impact of hypothyroidism on patients with bipolar disorder
Can cause rapid cycling in previously stable patients
Physical symptoms of hypothyroidism
Fatigue Weight gain Cold intolerance Dry skin Constipation Occasionally a tremor
Physical symptoms of hyperthyroidism
Weight loss Tremor Tachycardia Heat intolerance Eye signs - exophthalmos
Mental symptoms of hyperthyroidism
Anxiety
Irritability
Poor concentration
Emotional lability
Mental symptoms of hypothyroidism
Depression
Psychomotor retardation
Reduced libido
Poor memory
Hormone released by the pituitary gland in response to corticotrophin releasing hormone release from the hypothalamus
ACTH
Impact of ACTH release
Cortisol release from the adrenal glands
Effect of cortisol release on the metabolism of glucose
Stimulates gluconeogenesis
Increases concentration of glucose in the blood
Decreases peripheral tissue sensitivity to glucose
Effect of cortisol on the immune system
Decreases
Peak time of day with highest cortisol levels
Early morning
Factors increasing cortisol release
Viral infections
Intense exercise
Stress
Effect of chronic stress on cortisol release
Continuous excess of cortisol due to failure of feedback of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal acis
Effect of chronic cortisol excess on the hippocampus
Decreased neurogenesis
Shrinkage
Impaired memory
Compensatory increase in amygdala activity leading to memory bias towards negative events
Disease caused by excess levels of cortisol due to excess ACTH secretion in the pituitary
Cushing’s disease
Disease caused by primary cortisol deficiency
Addison’s disease
Disease which can be caused by bilateral adrenal removal as a treatment for Cushing’s syndrome
Nelson’s disease
Disease characterised by hypopituitarism as a result of blood loss during and after childhood
Sheehan’s syndrome
Physical symptoms of Cushing’s Syndrome
Abdominal obesity and thin arms and legs 'Buffalo hump' 'Moon face' Thin skin Hirsutism
Mental features of Cushing’s Syndrome
Depression Anxiety Sleep disturbances Poor concentration Rarely mania and psychosis
Physical features of Addison’s disease
Hyperpigmentation of the skin Nausea, vomiting, poor appetite Low BP Loss of menstrual cycle Loss of body hair
Mental features of Addison’s disease
Anxiety
Irritability
Depression
Poor concentration
Psychiatric conditions where raised cortisol levels are seen
Depression
Mania
OCD
Schizoaffective disorder
Psychiatric conditions where lowered cortisol levels are seen
Some patients with PTSD
Chronic fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Effect of dexamethasone administration on cortisol production
Will be suppressed if the HPA axis is intact
Effect of dexamethasone suppression test on psychiatric conditions which caused raised cortisol levels
Cortisol release not suppressed
Type of depression most likely to show dexamethasone suppression test non-suppression
Severe depression with psychotic and melancholic features
Impact of dexamethasone suppression test non-suppression on likelihood of depression responding to antidepressants
No impact
Alternative name for the pineal gland
Epiphysis
Main cells found in the pineal gland
Pinealocytes
Hormones secreted by the pineal gland
Serotonin during the day
Melatonin at night
Part of the body with the highest concentration of serotonin
Pineal gland
Hormone which melatonin is synthesised from
Serotonin
Effect of melatonin on the body
Regulates circadian rhythms
Hormone release increased at the start of sleep
Testosterone
Hormone release increased during slow wave sleep
Growth hormone
Somatostatin
Hormone release decreased during slow wave sleep
Cortisol
Hormone release decreased during REM sleep
Melatonin
Hormone secreted by the stomach which stimulates the cells in the stomach to secrete gastric juice
Gastrin
Hormone secreted by the stomach which inhibits the release of gastrin from the stomach, inhibits the release of secretin and cholecystokinin from the duodenum, and inhibits the release of glucagon from the pancreas
Somatostatin
Hormone secreted by the duodenum which stimulates the pancreas to produce bicarbonate, which neutralises the acidity of the intestines
Secretin
Trigger for secretin to be secreted
When duodenal cells are exposed to the acidic contents of the stomach once it has been emptied
Hormone secreted by the duodenum and jejunum to force the gallbladder to release bile, cause the pancreas to release digestive enzymes, and gives a satiety signal back to the medulla oblongata to reduce appetite
Cholecystokinin
Trigger for duodenum and jejunum to release cholecystokinin
Exposure to food
Hormone which is secreted by endocrine cells in the stomach and acts on the hypothalamus to increase appetite
Ghrelin
Hormone secreted by the adipose cells in the small intestine which acts on the hypothalamus to reduce hunger
Leptin
Neuropeptide secreted by the hypothalamus which has multiple functions, including neurogenesis in the hippocampus, and increasing hunger
Neuropeptide Y
Part of the body where melatonin is synthesised
Pineal gland
Neurotransmitter which melatonin is synthesised from
Serotonin
Function of the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus
Circadian rhythm
Functions of the preoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus
Secretes GnRH to stimulate release of LH and FSH from anterior pitiuitary
Thermoregulation
Function of the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus
Produces oxytocin
Produces ADH
Function of the periventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
Regulates secretion of oxytocin
Regulates secretion of ADH
Secretes CRH
Secretes TRH
Function of the anterior nucleus of the hypothalamus
Regulates temperature to keep cool
Function of the posterior nucleus of the hypothalamus
Regulates temperature to keep warm
Function of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus
Releases dopamine to pituitary
Release GHRH to pituitary
Stimulates appetite
Reduces appetite in response to leptin
Function of dorsomedial nucleus of hypothalamus
Body weight regulation - stimulates appetite and reduces in response to leptin
Rage centre
Libido
Circadian activity
Function of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus
Reduces appetite in response to leptin
Sexual behaviour
Insulin regulation
Function of the lateral nucleus of the hypothalamus
Stimulates appetite
Function of the septal nucleus of the hypothalamus
Regulates sexual desire
Most prominent function of substance P
Perception of pain