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Are hypothalamic hormones central neurotransmitters?

  • Chapter
Centrally Acting Peptides

Part of the book series: Biological Council

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Abstract

Chemical neutotransmitters share a number of properties. They are found in, synthesised by, and released from neurons. When they are released from nerves, they have specific, drug sensitive effects on target cells; and these effects are also seen when they are applied to target cells exogenously. Finally, neurotransmitters are rapidly metabolised or removed from the synaptic cleft so that their actions are brief. ‘Hypothalamic hormones’ (releasing hormones and release inhibiting hormones) have not traditionally been thought of as neurotransmitters. Although it is true that these hormones are released from nerves into the portal vessels to act on cells of the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary, it is unlikely that their only sites of action are in the pituitary. Data suggesting that the hypothalamic hormones function as chemical neurotransmitters are reviewed below.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Clinical Science, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20014, USA

    Michael J. Brownstein

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  1. Michael J. Brownstein
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London, UK

    J. Hughes Ph.D.

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© 1978 Institute of Biology Endowment Trust Fund

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Brownstein, M.J. (1978). Are hypothalamic hormones central neurotransmitters?. In: Hughes, J. (eds) Centrally Acting Peptides. Biological Council. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-03668-4_3

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