Developmental Neuroendocrinology

In this book, experts in the field discuss the latest research in developmental neuroendocrinology.

Given that the hypothalamus is the center of neuroendocrine activity, the reader will learn about the molecular specification of hypothalamic cells, developmental modulators and epigenetic factors influencing hypothalamic development, and the development of neuroendocrine circuits. Each chapter provides a concise review of the current and future perspectives in developmental neuroendocrinology. Important insights into state-of-the-art techniques applied to functional circuit tracking, lineage tracing of hypothalamic cells, and the identification of genes altered through epigenetic mechanisms are also provided.

Given its scope, the book will appeal to all students and researchers who are eager to understand the processes involved in hypothalamus development and the establishment of neuroendocrine circuits.

This is the ninth volume in the International Neuroendocrine Federation (INF) Masterclass in Neuroendocrinology series* that aims to illustrate highest standards and encourage the use of the latest technologies in basic and clinical research and hopes to provide inspiration for further exploration into the exciting field of neuroendocrinology.

*Volumes 1-7 published by Wiley.

PART I Molecular Specification of Hypothalamic/Pituitary Cells

Chapter 1: M Placzek, T Fu, M Towers: Development of the neuroendocrine hypothalamus 

Chapter 2: G Alvarez-Bolado: Sonic hedgehog in hypothalamus development

Chapter 3: N Moreno, A Gonzalez: Development of the Xenopus hypothalamus

Chapter 4: J Lee, C Huisman, S Lee: Gene regulatory network for specification of hypothalamic arcuate nucleus neurons.

Chapter 5: DWT Kim, S Blackshaw: Winding the clock: development of hypothalamic structures controlling biological timing and sleep.

Chapter 6: AZ Daly, S Camper: Pituitary Development and Organogenesis: Transcription factors in development and disease

PART II Developmental Modulators and epigenetic factors

 

Chapter 7: S Tobet, M Stratton: Hypothalamic development: role of GABA

Chapter 8: CF Aylwin A Lomniczi: Epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of the reproductive hypothalamus

Chapter 9: E Terasawa and JP Kurian: Epigenetic Regulation of the GnRH and Kiss1 genes: Developmental Perspectives

Chapter 10: M Pulix, A Plagge: Imprinted genes and hypothalamic function.

Chaper 11: CS Coyle, E Tolla, TJ Stevenson: Rhythmic epigenetics in neuroendocrine and immune systems

PART III Development of Neuroendocrine Circuits

 

Chapter 12: NS Canteras, D Lin, J Corbin: Development of limbic system stress-regulatory circuitry

Chapter 13: L Rinaman: Organization and Postnatal Development of Visceral Sensory Inputs to the Neuroendocrine Hypothalamus

Chapter 14: LL DonCarlos, JA Chowen: Astrocytes and development of neuroendocrine circuits

Chapter 15: MM McCarthy:  Origins of Sex Differentiation of Brain and Behavior

Chapter 16: N Gottlieb, J Moeller,  LJ Kriegsfeld: Development and Modulation of Female Reproductive Function by Circadian Signals

Susan Wray received her B.A. from Middlebury College and her M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology. She joined Dr. Harold Gainer’s laboratory at the NICHD, NIH for her postdoctoral research, and in 1995 established her own section, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, at the NINDS, NIH. Her research focuses on the development and regulation of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, identifying their origin in the nasal placode and subsequent migration into the forebrain. Her work has bridged developmental issues including cell lineage, neuronal migration and craniofacial development with physiological issues such as functional GnRH neuronal subpopulations, the mechanisms regulating pulsatile secretion of GnRH, and causes of reproductive dysfunction.

Seth Blackshaw received his B.A. and M.S. in Biochemistry in 1991 and his PhD in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1997, working with Solomon Snyder.  He pursued postdoctoral research with Connie Cepko at Harvard Medical School, and in 2004 rejoined the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he is now a Professor of Neuroscience.  His research has focused on the regulation of cell fate specification and neuronal regeneration in the retina and hypothalamus, hypothalamic regulation of innate behaviors, and the development of new tools for functional genomics and proteomics.