Steroid Hormone Regulation of the Brain focuses on the advancement of knowledge of the properties of brain steroid receptors and steroid target nerve cells, including the actions of gonadal steroids, adrenocortical steroids, and androgenic steroids on the brain. The selection features the work of authors who have inspiringly conducted extensive studies on the action of steroid hormones. The book starts with discussions that point out that steroid hormones not only function through intracellular steroid receptors, but possibly through steroid membrane actions as well. Studies to support this claim are presented. As to the action of steroid hormones on presynaptic transmitter mechanisms, the book suggests that adrenocortical and gonadal steroids can create alterations in noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine levels and turnover within the hypothalamus and preoptic area. The effects of catecholestrogens on the brain are also elaborated. A contribution to this paper stresses that estrogens have antidopaminergic action in the extrapyramidal system. This idea is identified through a series of behavioral experiments and measurements of the levels of striatal acetylcholine. This selection is recommended to scientists interested in studying the effect of hormones on the brain.

Inhalt

List of Participants
Opening Address
Section I Actions of Steroid Hormones
Steroid Hormones in the Brain: Several Mechanisms?
The Interaction of Estrogens with Intracellular Receptors and with Putative Neurotransmitter Receptors: Implications for the Mechanism of Activation of Sexual Behavior and Ovulation
Studies on the Glucocorticoid Receptor
Steroid Hormone Sites of Action in the Brain
Developmental Aspects of Catecholestrogen Synthesis
Regulation of Hepatic Steroid Metabolism by the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Liver Axis
Section II The Effects of Steroids on Presynaptic Transmitter Mechanisms
Effects of Estrogen and Combined Treatment with Estrogen and Progesterone on Central Dopamine, Noradrenaline and Adrenaline Nerve Terminal Systems of the Ovariectomized Rat. Relationship of Changes in Amine Turnover to Changes in LH and Prolactin Secretion and in Sexual Behavior
Acute Effects of Catecholestrogens on Hypothalamic and Median Eminence Catecholamines and Anterior Pituitary Gland Luteinizing Hormone and Prolactin Secretion in the Ovariectomized Rat
Catecholestrogens in the Brain: Action on Pituitary Hormone Secretion and Catecholamine Turnover
Effects of Androgenic and Adrenocortical Steroids on Hypothalamic and Preoptic Catecholamine Nerve Terminals and on the Secretion of Anterior Pituitary Hormones
Modulatory Actions of Estradiol on Catecholamine and GABA Turnover and Effects on Serum Prolactin and LH Release
Plasma SteroidâEUR Tissue Catecholamine Relationships in Limbic and Related Areas of the Brain
Steroids and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms in the Prenatal Period
Section III Overview Lecture
Electrophysiological Effects of Adrenocortical Hormones on the Brain
Changes in the Firing Rate of Single Preoptic-Septical Neurons Induced by Direct Application of Natural and Conjugated Steroids
Section IV Effects of Steroids on Transmitter Reception Mechanisms
Effect of Steroid Hormones on the Level of Protein I in Rat Brain
Biochemical Effects of Estrogens and Thyroid Hormones in the CNS
Effects of Estrogen and Progesterone on Central α- and ÃY-Adrenergic Receptors in Ovariectorrized Rats: Evidence for Gonadal Steroid Receptor Regulation of Brain α- and ÃY-Adrenergic Receptors
Gonadal Steroid Modification of Adrenergic and Opiate Receptor Binding in the Central Nervous System
1α,25-(OH)2D3 Receptors in the Pituitary: Characterization and Relation to Dopaminergic Mechanisms
Section V Steroid Hormonal Control of Behavior
Sex Steroid Hormones and Sexual Behavior
Progesterone, Monoamines and Sexual Behavior
Neuroendocrine Control of Daily Rhythms in Rat Reproductive Behavior
Hormones and Sexual Behavior in Rhesus and Talapoin Monkeys
Behavioral and Biochemical Evidence of an Effect of Estradiol on Striatal Dopamine Receptors
Estrogens and Striatal Cholinergic Function
Glucocorticoids, Catecholamines and Avoidance Learning
Modulation of 3H-Dihydroalprenolol Binding in the Hippocampus by Corticosterone
Section VI Clinical Session
Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Gonadal Function in Primary Endogenously Depressed Men: Preliminary Findings
Pineal-Hypothalamic-Pituitary Function in Patients with Depressive Illness
Subject Index