This volume provides a comprehensive understanding of the human hypothalamus, an extremely complex structure that consists of a large number of very different functional units. It approaches the subject in a way that has not historically existed in standard neuropathological investigations of the human brain. As the hypothalamus was traditionally considered to be a neuroendocrine structure, and hence of little interest to neurologists, this volume explores new findings in the field and the value they bring to the field of neurology. New understandings of the role the hypothalamus plays in memory and attention deficits in the dementias, along with greater evidence that the hypothalamus is related to symptoms and signs in both neurological and psychological disorders provide users in the fields of neuroscience, endocrinology, pediatrics, and psychology with a comprehensive resource on which to base new research and exploration. * A new understanding of the role of the human hypothalamus in neurological disorders * Clinical evidence regarding a plethora of neurological disorders and how they relate to the human hypothalamus * A greater understanding of the direct connection between both neurological and psychological disorders and the role of the hypothalamus in these disorders
Our biological clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), sets the pace of our life: it provides a rhythmic function to our sleep–wake cycle. In order to do so properly the SCN synchronizes our physiology to behavioral patterns by directing the autonomic and hormonal output of the hypothalamus to the different organs of the body that require a different setting – activity or inactivity – during particular phases of the day or night. In this chapter we show that this delicate balance requires that the SCN should not only provide an output to these organs but also be informed about the physiological state of the organs in order to adapt its output. This occurs via a hypothalamic neuronal network that provides the necessary input to the SCN. We argue that the feedback that the SCN receives from its hypothalamic target structures is essential to maintain a balance in our physiological functions, which fluctuate during the sleep–wake cycle. We propose that this crucial role of the hypothalamus in the homeostatic response is the reason why, e.g., in aging or depression, changes in the functioning of the biological clock, the SCN, lead to the development of pathology. In addition, if this balance is not adequately organized, for example, if the signals of the biological clock are violated by being active and eating during the night, as in shift work, one will be more susceptible to diseases such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
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