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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
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