HYPOTHALAMUS Nicolette Cefai and Malia Bybee

Location  In the brain below the thalamus and above the pituitary gland

Hormones  Thyrotropin - releasing hormone (TRH)  Stimulates the synthesis and secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL)  Gonadotropin - releasing hormone (GnRH)  Secretes at the onset of puberty and triggers sexual development  Then on it is essential for normal sexual physiology in both males and females  Growth Hormone - releasing hormone (GHRH)  Promotes growth hormone (GH) secretion by stimulating cells in the anterior lobe of the pituitary

Hormones (Cont.)  Corticotropin - releasing hormone (CRH)  Acts in the anterior lobe of the pituitary to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)  Synthesized by the placenta and determines the duration of pregnancy  Plays a role in keeping the T cells of the mother from mounting an immune attack against the fetus  Somatostatin  Acts on the anterior pituitary lobe to: inhibit the release of growth hormone (GH) inhibit the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)  secreted by cells in the pancreas and in the intestine to inhibit the secretion of a variety of other hormones  Dopamine  Inhibits the release of prolactin (PRL) from the anterior pituitary lobe  Modulates motor control centers  Activates the reward centers of the brain  A loss of dopamine-secreting cells produces Parkinson's disease

Homeostasis  The hypothalamus is the control center for homeostatic regulation  The hypothalamus sends messages to the pituitary gland which releases hormones that regulate body functions  The hypothalamus has neural influence on the autonomic nervous system which helps regulate body temperature, the cardiovascular system, and food and water intake  Hypothalamus regulates it’s own secretion through negative feedback inhibition which results in hormonal homeostasis

Improper functioning hypothalamus  If the hypothalamus is damaged, it can cause uncontrollable urination and failure to regulate metabolic base temperature.  Causes of hypothalamic dysfunction include:  Bleeding  Eating Disorders  Genetic disorders  Growths (tumors)  Head trauma  Infections and swelling (inflammation)  Malnutrition  Radiation  Surgery  Too much iron  Treatment depends on the cause of the hypothalamic dysfunction.  Tumors -- surgery or radiation  Hormonal deficiencies -- replace missing hormones  The most common tumors in the area are craniopharyngiomas in children

Works Cited  "Endocrine System Information." Endocrine System Information. A.D.A.M., n.d. Web. 10 Jan  "Hormones of the Hypothalamus." Hormones of the Hypothalamus. N.p., 06 Dec Web. 12 Jan  "Hypothalamic Dysfunction: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 10 Jan  Utiger, Robert D., Dr. "Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 10 Jan  "E&S - PHYSIOLOGY note: CNS: hypothalamus." E&S - PHYSIOLOGY note: CNS: hypothalamus. N.p., 5 May Web. 14 Jan