At the mercy of neurohormones
The first part, “neuro-“, comes from the word “neuron”. A neuron is a cell that processes information from the environment and transmits it to our brain using electrical and chemical signals. This is what allows us to feel, for example, painful sensations and gentle touches and to perceive them adequately. The neuron releases substances – neurotransmitters. These are small protein molecules, large substances and amino acids.
What you will learn in the article
- What a neurohormone is and how it combines features of neurotransmitters and hormones
- How neurons release neurotransmitters and transmit information through electrical and chemical signals
- Why hormones move from endocrine glands through the bloodstream to target organs
- How hypothalamic neurohormones enter the pituitary gland and regulate its functioning
- How liberins, statins, oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone are described as examples of neurohormonal regulation
Table of Contents
Now let’s look at the other part of the term, “hormone”. Hormones are chemical substances produced by certain parts of the body (endocrine glands), which after synthesis move to another part of the body (target organ).
It turns out that a neurohormone is a hormone that is produced by a neuron in the nervous system, but travels in the bloodstream and acts on certain cells and tissues.
Don’t miss the most important science and health updates!
Subscribe to our newsletter and get the most important news straight to your inbox
Where do neurohormones live?
Hypothalamic neurohormones are biologically active substances produced by the cells of the hypothalamus that enter the pituitary gland and regulate its functioning.
Neurohormones play an important role in regulating the synthesis and release of other hormones. These hormones include progestin (involved in reproduction), cortisol (involved in the development of stress reactions), and many others associated with the normal functioning of most body organs.
There are two groups of these hormones: liberins, which have a stimulating effect on the secretion of pituitary hormones, and statins, which inhibit their production.
Two well-known examples of hypothalamic neurohormones are oxytocin, which regulates the birth process, and antidiuretic hormone, which supports the body’s water-salt balance. Both of these substances do not affect the synthesis of hormones by the pituitary gland, but they are able to accumulate in it “until better times” and be secreted at the right moment.
Thus, neurohormones share characteristics with both neurotransmitters and hormones. Like neurotransmitters, neurohormones are released by neurons. Like hormones, neurohormones are able to move in the bloodstream and act on distant organs and tissues.
Key takeaways
- A neurohormone is produced by a neuron but travels in the bloodstream and acts on specific cells and tissues
- Hypothalamic neurohormones are biologically active substances made by hypothalamic cells
- Liberins stimulate pituitary hormone secretion, while statins inhibit pituitary hormone production
- Oxytocin regulates the birth process, and antidiuretic hormone supports water-salt balance
- Neurohormones are released by neurons like neurotransmitters and act on distant organs like hormones
Published
July, 2024
Duration of reading
1-2 min
Category
Endocrine system
Share
