Preface

Understanding of the neuroendocrine system provides an insight into a wide range of bodily and mental processes, e.g. from water balance to social activity. *Neuroendocrinology and Behavior* brings its readers a concise guide to up-to-date knowledge on the function of the endocrine glands and organs in association with neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and behavioral manifestations. In particular, this volume provides a unique medium for interactions across these multiple levels of the exploration on neuroendocrinology, behavior, and related disorders.

Various forms of stress response, e.g. anxiety and cognitive changes, have been intrinsic to both ourselves and other species. Specifically, these mechanisms involve complex interplays among physical, emotional, and behavioral processes in humans. The main concepts of this issue are reviewed in *Chapter 1* by Dr. Jacek Kolcz who also provides original data from patients suffering from acute or chronic stressors. The topics include mobilization of embryonic stem cells, as a form of stress response, during heart surgery in hospitalized patients. Drs. Alper Karakas and Hamit Coskun in *Chapter 2* report experimental studies on the regulatory role of the amygdala in learning memory. Data are presented on the effect of administration of exogenous melatonin on memory and anxiety-related behaviors in pinealectomized rats (*Part 1: The Neuroendocrine System in Cognition, Emotion, and Stress Response*).

The second part describes information on peptide hormones, i.e. oxytocin and vasopressin, and how studies of these neuropeptides enrich our understanding of social and other behaviors. In *Chapter 3*, Dr. Benjamin C. Nephew provides a review of the literature on physiological and functional roles of vasopressin and oxytocin in relation to social behaviors and mental illnesses*.* The need for further investigations on gender differences and stress-related mood disorders is emphasized. Drs. Tomiki Sumiyoshi, Tadasu Matsuoka, and Masayoshi Kurachi in *Chapter 4* focus on the role for the pituitary neuropeptides, particularly vasopressin, in social behavior disturbances of schizophrenia. The ability of vasopressin analogues to treat the deficits in an animal model of schizophrenia is discussed. The other pituitary neuropeptide oxytocin is currently the major focus of the therapeutic strategy for social disability of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Accordingly, a review on clinical trials to determine the effect of oxytocin on sociality disturbances of ASDs is provided by Drs. Toshio Munesue, Kazumi Ashimura, Hideo Nakatani, Mitsuru Kikuchi, Manabu Oi,

#### XII Preface

Haruhiro Higashida, and Yoshio Minabe in *Chapter 5* (*Part 2: Neuropeptides in Social Behaviors and Diseases*).

The functions of neuropeptides hormones also influence systemic homeostasis, e.g. modulations of smooth muscles activity, sexual behavior and reproduction, and water balance in the body. *Chapter 6* by Drs. Anna Tolekova, Petya Hadzhibozheva, Tsvetelin Georgiev, Stanislava Mihailova, Galina Ilieva, Maya Gulubova, Eleonora Leventieva-Necheva, Kiril Milenov, and Reni Kalfin presents an overview on the mechanisms of action of vasopressin, ghrelin, angiotensines, and cholecystokinins on smooth muscle organs in abdominal and pelvic cavities. The effect of cadmium, a non-essential heavy metal widely distributed in the environment, on the vasopressin system and water metabolism is investigated by Drs. Sihem Mbarek, Tounes Saidi and Rafika Ben Chaouacha-Chekir in *Chapter 7*. Exposure to cadmium was shown to modify the synthesis of vasopressin in the brain of rodents (*Part 3: Miscellaneous Issues*).

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the contributors for their excellent cooperation. I also express my gratitude to Mr. Vedran Greblo at InTech in assisting me with editing of this *Book*.

## **Prof. Dr. Tomiki Sumiyoshi** M.D., Ph.D., Clinical Professor and Director of Translational Research, Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Toyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Japan

**The Neuroendocrine System in Cognition, Emotion, and Stress Response** 

**Chapter 1** 

© 2012 Kolcz, licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use,

distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

© 2012 Kolcz, licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

**Neuroendocrine Regulation of Stress** 

A stress response is an evolutionary heritage of ability to anticipate, identify and effectively respond to danger. After millions of years of evolution, perception of variety of stressors mobilizes neurologic, neuroendocrine, endocrine, immunologic and metabolic systems to maintain an ability to survive and propagate gens (natural selection). Additionally, in humans these mechanisms involve complex and interrelated mental, emotional, behavioral and social processes. Behavioral adaptation is aimed on modulation of neural pathways that help to cope with stressful situations. These e.g. include changes of sensory thresholds, increased alertness, memory enhancement, suppression of hunger, and stress-induced

A stressor can be defined as a certain stimulus of the external or internal receptor. The stressors are usually divided into macroscopic threats (e.g. fight with enemy, fear, pain) and microscopic threats (targeting at epithelial or endothelial barriers e.g. infection or tissue damage). These neuroendocrine – immunologic interrelations are also vital in the clinical situations. During an acute stress response, physiological processes are aimed on redistribution of energy utilization in specific organs, inhibiting or stimulating energy mobilization. Therefore certain tissues receive sufficient supply of energy while others reduce their consumption according to priority. This is achieved mainly by: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), release of catecholamines which inhibit insulin release and action, stimulates glucagon and ACTH production; hypothalamic – pituitary – adrenocortical (HPA) axis that in general increases gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, inhibits glucose uptake, and enhances proteolysis and lipolysis; hypothalamic - posterior pituitary (ADH) – kidney axis with water retention; brain – juxta-gromelular apparatus activity - (renin/ angiotensin/aldosterone - RAAS) with many effects on blood pressure, electrolytes and water balance; hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (response to cold and heat), natriuretic

**Response in Clinical Models** 

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Jacek Kolcz

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/48533

**1. Introduction** 

analgesia.
