1. By: Shirin Ajay, Jeevitha Anthony, Natalia Barker, and Noopur Shah
GQ: what does the diencephalon regulate to maintain the body and bodily functions, and how does it do so?
By: Shirin Ajay, Jeevitha Anthony, Natalia Barker, and Noopur Shah

2. History
Until 1969, most endocrinologists believed that the anterior pituitary controlled the gonads and brain, independent of neural input.
In late 1930’s Geoffrey Harris proposed that that the anterior pituitary was regulated by hypothalamic neurons.
The proof required isolation of a substance produced by neurons that could bring out anterior pituitary hormone release.
Result: Diencephalon regulates the endocrine system.

3. Structure and Function
The Diencephalon is an area of the brain composed of: the thalamus, the hypothalamus, the epithalamus, and the subthalamus.
These parts contain: (1) the optic tracts/chiasma, (2) the infundibulum, (3) posterior pituitary gland, (4) mammillary bodies, and (5) the pineal gland.

4. Structure and Function
Functions of the Diencephalon by part:
Thalamus: emotive expression, combines sensory input with emotional responses, maintains consciousness, known as the collection of pathways.
Hypothalamus: ANS integration center, visceral reflexes, regulates thirst, temperature, sleep, appetite, fat metabolism, sexual responses, hormone regulation, blood pressure, fight or flight, pituitary gland is situated at the base

5. Function Continued Epithalamus: Contains the Penial Gland
Known as the third eye, reacts to changes in light, produces melatonin, controls body rhythms, possibly affects onset of puberty, stimulates the immune system, and is an endocrine gland.

6. Hormones Regulated by the Diencephalon
Melatonin - is secreted by the pineal gland at night and is concerned with circadian rhythms, as well as inhibition of reproductive functions, and antioxidant activity
Oxytocin - (in women) stimulates smooth muscle contractions in the wall of the uterus during labor and delivery
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) - the primary function is to decrease the amount of water lost in urine

7. How the Diencephalon affects Human Behavior
Certain sections and masses of the nuclei within the hypothalamus are responsible for emotions such as fear, anger, pain and joy.
The superior portion of the hypothalamus controls the sexual sensation.
Oxytocin controls various behavior including orgasm, pair bonding, anxiety and maternal behaviors- also referred as the “love hormone.”

8. Bibliography
Bartholomew, Edwin F. Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology. 4th ed. Pearson. Print.
"Diencephalon - Brain." InnerBody.com Web. 31 Jan <
"Diencephalon - Human Anatomy." Medical Encyclopedia. Generic Look. Web. 31 Jan <
"Diencephalon." Medicalook - Your Medical World. Medica Look. Web. 31 Jan < html>.
Paxinos, George. The Human Nervous System. San Diego: Academic, Print.
Heitman, Susan. "The Brain -- Anatomy and Function." Welcome to Wisc-Online.com. Web. 31 Jan < online.com/Objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=OTA502>