You are on page 1of 2

Seminar on Behavioral Endocrinology, HCS 7372

Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (Principles of Hormone/Behavior Relations)

Synopsis

Human and animal behavior displays a great range of variability within the same subject. In fact
behavior is a response of the organism to the environment, motivated and modulated by the organism’s
internal states, which, in turn, vary according to sex, developmental stage, metabolic need, circadian
rhythms, and other biological and -for humans- psychological variables. Hormones, their synthesis and
receptor systems, are the chemical means of internal state modulation.
This course is an introduction to the relationship between the endocrine system and behavior,
with a special emphasis on the hypothalamus-hypophysis-body gland axes. Topics will include
neuroendocrine control of feeding, reproduction, chronic stress, and learning and memory.

Textbook
Neuroendocrinology in Physiology and Medicine, eds. Conn and Freeman, Humana Press

Recommended books
1) Guyton and Hall, Human Physiology
2) Principles of Hormone/Behavior Relations, Pfaff, Phillips, Rubin, Elsevier Academic Press

Tests and gradings

Course attendance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. Grading will be the average of a mid-
term test (on the first half of the course) and a final test (on the second half of the course). Students are
encouraged to read the corresponding chapters before or right after the corresponding class
presentation in order to retain best the material. Tests will be either or both short answers or multiple
choice tests. Students are encouraged to actively participate to class discussion and ask questions on the
corresponding topics.

Pre-requisites

Although no pre-requisites are necessary, and each class will be prepared as a stand-alone presentation,
it is recommended that students have basic knowledge of membrane biophysics and physiology,
anatomy, and neurochemistry.
session Schedule Topic-assignment

Class 1 Aug 24 The brain-hypothalamus-pituitary-body gland axes: basic, G-proteins


principles of transmitter release (ch. 58, 74, 75 from Guyton and Hall)
Class 2 Aug 24 The hypothalamus as a major integrative center (5)
Class 3 Sept 14 The hypothalamus as an endocrine organ (ch. 1 Conn and Freeman)

Class 4 Sept 14 Hypothalamic hormones (3 C&F)


Class 5 Sept 21 Neurotransmitters as regulators of hypothalamic function (4)
Class 6 Sept 21 Endocrine targets in the brain (6)

Class 7 Sept 28 Electrophysiology of hypothalamic neurons (ch. 30 Conn & Freeman)


Class 8 Sept 28 Anatomical markers of Activity in Hypothalamic Neurons (31 CF)

Class 9 Oct 5 Neuroendocrine regulation of pituitary function: general principles (7)


Class 10 Oct 5 Neuroendocrine regulation of reproductive cyclicity (8)

Class 11 Oct 12 Neuroendocrine regulation of growth hormone secretion (11)


Class 12 Oct 12 Neuroendocrine regulation of puberty (12)

Test 1 Oct 19 Test on the first half of the program

Class 13 Oct 26 Neuroendocrine regulation of thyroid function (13)


Class 14 Oct 26 Regulation of the stress response by corticotrophin-releasing factor receptors
(15)
Class 15 Nov 2 Neuroendocrine regulation of sexual behavior (16)
Class 16 Nov 2 Neuroendocrine regulation of maternal behavior (17)

Class 17 Nov 9 Control of food intake (19)


Class 18 Nov 9 Neuroendocrine regulation of learning and memory (20)

Class 19 Nov 16 Neuroendocrine correlates of aging (21)


Class 20 Nov 16 Influence of light and the pineal gland on biological rhythms (23)

Class 21 Nov 23 Neuroendocrine control of circadian rhythms (25)


Class 22 Nov 23 Neuroendocrine immunology (29)

Class 23 Nov 30 Hypothalamic disease (27)


Class 24 Nov 30 Disorders of hypothalamus-pituitary axis (28)

Test 2 Dec 7 Test on the second half of the program

You might also like