As human beings, we prefer to think of ourselves as reasonable. But how much of what we do is really governed by reason? In this book, Gareth Leng considers the extent to which one small structure of the neuroendocrine brain—the hypothalamus—influences what we do, how we love, and who we are.
The hypothalamus contains a large variety of neurons. These communicate not only through neurotransmitters, but also through peptide signals that act as hormones within the brain. While neurotransmitter signals tend to be ephemeral and confined by anatomical connectivity, the hormone signals that hypothalamic neurons generate are potent, wide-reaching, and long-lasting. Leng explores the evolutionary origins of these remarkable neurons, and where the receptors for their hormone signals are found in the brain. By asking how the hypothalamic neurons and their receptors are regulated, he explores how the hypothalamus links our passions with our reason. The Heart of the Brain shows in an accessible way how this very small structure is very much at the heart of what makes us human.
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Subtopic
Endocrinology & MetabolismIndex
Biological SciencesTable of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Table of Contents
- Preface
- 1. Prelude
- 2. The European Brain
- 3. The Classical Neuron
- 4. Enlightenment
- 5. Far from the Madding Crowd
- 6. Pulsatile Secretion
- 7. Dendritic Secretion and Priming
- 8. The GnRH Neuron
- 9. Kisspeptin
- 10. The Bistable Neuron
- 11. Vasopressin
- 12. Numbers
- 13. Whispered Secrets and Public Announcements
- 14. Plasticity
- 15. Rhythms
- 16. Obesity
- 17. The Empty Medicine Cabinet
- 18. Appetite
- 19. The Sweet Hormone
- 20. The Hybrid Neuron
- 21. Behavior
- 22. The Evolved Brain
- 23. Redundancy and Degeneracy
- 24. The Tangled Web
- Index
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Yes, you can access The Heart of the Brain by Gareth Leng in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Biological Sciences & Endocrinology & Metabolism. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.