Stress, Neuropeptides, and systemic disease

Stress, Neuropeptides, and Systemic Disease traces the development of the neuropeptide hypothesis from its anatomical substrate to its functional correlates in animal and pre-clinical human models of stress-induced disease. The book contains articles that discuss the different aspects and findings on the study of neuropeptides such as the histochemical localization of peptide-containing cells and peptidergic receptors; the current concepts in hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation; neuropeptides involved in stress and their distribution in the mammalian central nervous system; and neuropeptide-mediated regulation of the neuroendocrine and autonomic responses to stress. The methods of measuring neuropeptides and their metabolism; stress responses and the pathogenesis of arthritis; brain peptides and gastrointestinal transit; and diminished opioid inhibition of blood pressure and pituitary function in hypertension development are presented as well. Physicians, neurobiologists, pharmacologists, and biological scientists will find the book very interesting.

ContributorsPrefaceI Basic Mechanisms 1. A Tale of Three Peptides: Corticotropin-Releasing Factor-, Oxytocin-, and Vasopressin-Containing Pathways Mediating Integrated Hypothalamic Responses to Stress I. Introduction II. Effector Neuron Organization III. Afferent Control IV. Integration References 2. Current Concepts in Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Regulation I. Basal Regulation of the HPA Axis II. Physiological Role of CRF and Vasopressin III. Central Regulation of the HPA Axis IV. Neural Pathways Mediating HPA Responses to Stimuli V. Neurotransmitter Mechanisms of the Neural Control of the HPA Axis VI. Feedback Regulation of the HPA Axis VII. Summary References 3. Amygdala: Role in Autonomic and Neuroendocrine Responses to Stress I. Introduction II. Anatomical and Functional Studies III. Amygdala and Peptides IV. Amygdala and Catecholamines V. Amygdala and Neuroendocrine Responses VI. Summary and Conclusions References 4. Neuropeptides Involved in Stress and Their Distribution in the Mammalian Central Nervous System Text References 5. Neuropeptide-Mediated Regulation of the Neuroendocrine and Autonomic Responses to Stress I. Introduction II. Corticotropin-Releasing Factor III. Thyrotropin-Releasing Factor IV. Bombesin and Related Peptides V. Somatostatin-Related Peptides References 6. Corticotropin-Releasing Factor and Autonomic-Cardiovascular Responses to Stress I. Introduction II. CRF Neuronal Systems III. CNS Actions of CRF IV. Conclusions References 7. Corticotropin-Releasing Factor, Stress, and Animal Behavior I. Introduction II. Centrally Administered CRF III. Role of Endogenous CRF in Behavior IV. Suggestions for Future Research References 8. Methods of Measuring Neuropeptides and Their Metabolism I. Introduction II. Chromatographic Methods III. Mass Spectrometric Methods IV. Capillary Electrophoresis V. Application to Measurements of Neuropeptide Metabolism VI. Conclusions ReferencesII Endocrine Regulation 9. Stress, the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, and Depression I. Introduction II. CRF and the Stress Response III. CRF and Depression IV. Summary References 10. Use of Neuroendocrine Tests in the Psychiatric Assessment of the Medically Ill Patient I. Introduction II. Neuroendocrine Challenge Tests in Mood Disorders III. Neuroendocrine Findings in Patients with Medical Illness and Mood Disorders IV. Summary and Conclusions ReferencesIII Immune Function 11. The Role of Stress and Opioids as Regulators of the Immune Response I. Introduction II. In Vitro Effect of Opioids on the Immune System III. Do Immune Cells Produce Opioids? IV. Physiological Regulation of NK Cells during Stress in Humans V. Conclusion References 12. Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptors in the Brain-Pituitary-Immune Axis I. Introduction II. CRF Receptors in Brain, Pituitary, and Spleen III. Summary References 13. Modulation of Immunity and Neoplasia by Neuropeptides Released by Stressors I. The Concept of Stress II. Stress, Immunity, and Cancer III. Modulation of Immunity by Neuropeptides and Pituitary Hormones Released by Stressors IV. Conclusions References 14. Stress Responses and the Pathogenesis of Arthritis I. Introduction II. Depression and Arthritis III.