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LOCATION

The hypothalamus is located within the brain, below the thalamus.

HORMONES AND THEIR EFFECTS

What hormones does it produce and what do they do?

~Dopamine- a neurotransmitter

~Somatosatin-regulates the endocrine system

~THR-regulates metabolism and heart rate

~GnRH-stimulates pituitary gland

~GHRH-growth hormone

~CRH-involved in the stress response

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE HORMONES?

So many major subdivisions of the neuraxis communicate with the Hypothalamus. Therefore it has a huge influence.

The function of the hypothalamus is necessary in homeostasis to help aid survival and reproduction.

FEEDBACK MECHANISMS & ANTAGONIST HORMONES

Many of the endocrine glands are linked to neural control centers by homeostatic feedback mechanisms. There are two types of feedback mechanisms: negative and positive. Negative feedback decreases the deviation from an ideal normal value, and is important in maintaining homeostasis. Think of your AC in your house when it gets to hot your AC knows to kick on and adjust it to the correct setting. The negative feedback mechanisms work in the same way.

Negative feedback opposes the release of hormones.

Antagonistic hormones oppose each other’s actions.

RELEASING HORMONES AND GLANDS

Any of several hormones produced in the hypothalamus and carried by a vein to the anterior pituitary gland where they stimulate the release of anterior pituitary hormones; each of these hormones causes the anterior pituitary to secrete a specific hormone.

WHAT HAPPENS IN IT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY?

The hypothalamus controls body temperature, so if it were damaged or didn't work right, your body wouldn't control how hot or cold you were.

Dysfunction of the hypothalamus often leads to depression, hyperactivity, abnormal responses to stress, or disturbances in brain and limbic functioning.

Some of the physical aspects of Hypothalamic dysfunction are:

Disordered sleep, Multiple hormonal dysfunctions,

Immune dysfunction, Autonomic dysfunction, Altered body temperatures.

The general functions of the hypothalamus are of extreme importance for the body, such as:

• pituitary gland regulation

• blood pressure regulation

• feeding reflexes

• hydration 

• water preservation

• testicular function

• metabolism

• thirst

• heart rate

• hormonal/neurotransmitter regulation

• mood & behavioral functions

• sleep cycles

• hunger and salt cravings

• body temperature regulation 

• bladder function 

• ovarian function

• wakefulness

• energy levels

MEDICAL ATTENTION IF YOU HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS

Hypothyroidism symptoms:Cold intolerance

Constipation

Depressed mood

Fatigue

Hair or skin changes

Hoarseness

Impotence

Loss of body hair and muscle (in men)

Mental slowing

Menstrual cycle changes:

Weight gain

Low adrenal function symptomsDizziness

Weakness

Tumor symptoms:Headaches

Loss of vision

Other, less common symptoms may include:

Body temperature problems

Emotional problems

Excess thirst

Obesity

Uncontrolled urination

Kallmann's syndrome (a type of hypothalamic dysfunction that occurs in men) symptoms

Lowered function of sexual hormones (hypogonadism)

Inability to smell

TREATMENT

Treatment depends on the cause of the hypothalamic dysfunction.

Tumors -- surgery or radiation

Hormonal deficiencies -- replace missing hormones

Specific treatments may be available for bleeding, infection, and other causes.

SOURCES

http://www.yourhormones.info/glands/hypothalamus.aspx

http://neuroscience.uth.tmc.edu/s4/chapter01.html

http://www.pennmedicine.org/health_info/body_guide/reftext/html/endo_sys_fin.html

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hypothalamic+releasing+hormone

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001202.htmDefinite

ly deserve a 100!

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watching!