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Hypothalamus 2016 5 24 2109 Final
Hypothalamus 2016 5 24 2109 Final
304-293-2435
Objectives
After completing the hypothalamus unit the well-informed student will be able to:
Describe the role of the hypothalamus as the integrator of diverse information and its ability to
initiate homeostatic responses.
Describe the relative location and function of key hypothalamic nuclei (supraoptic,
suprachiasmatic, paraventricular, preoptic, ventromedial dorsomedial, arcuate, mammillary
bodies, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis).
Understand the data supporting a biological basis for sexuality, sexual preference and gender
identity.
Boundaries
1. Ventral - optic chiasm, infundibulum
Functions
1. Integration
2. Coordination
It packs a big punch for just ~4 g of tissue (vs. ~1400 g for the entire brain).
The hypothalamus plays a pivotal role in drive-related behaviors.
2. Endocrine
1. Visceral Information
Information
Hypothalamus
3. Homeostatic 4. Cognitive -
Information Affective
5. Sensory Information
Information
1. Visceral Information for example, comes to the hypothalamus
from the baroreceptors in the aortic arch and carotid bodies. They sense
variation in blood pressure and transmit this information to nucleus
solitarius which in turn projects to the hypothalamus. This is but one
example; input also from other viscera, e.g. gut.
Visceral Afferents
via IX,IX inf. ganglia
Hypothalamus
(Paraventricular Nucleus)
DMNX
Pituitary gland
Hypothalamic
Internal
Sensing System
neurons Fig. 23-7 Nolte
4. Cognitive - Affective Information arrives through projections from
Frontal, orbitofrontal and cingulate cortices
and amygdala
Suprachiasmatic nucleus
Ventrolateral preoptic nucleus
Hypothalamus
In rats, Gorski et al., demonstrated in the late 70s that rat partner preference,
and repertoire of copulatory behaviors are related to the structure of the POA.
Beginning with the work of Gorski, it was discovered in the late 70s that
the development of sexual characteristics and later sexual behaviors
could be experimentally manipulated in rats by strategic exposure to
testosterone during development.
Adult sexual behavior in the rat depends on whether the brain was
organized by gonadal hormones during the first few days after
birth.
The POA SDN is larger in males than females
Females androgenized with a testosterone proprionate (TP) injection on
day 4 have significantly larger SDN volume than control (oil-treated )
females
SDN volume is reduced in males castrated on day 1 compared with
normal males (Gorski, 1980)
Summary of MPOA and INAH nuclear development
These nuclei are sexually dimorphic, i.e., they develop and function
differently in males vs. females
Since then it has been established that sexual behaviors in many species are
under the control of the POA.
Sexual behaviors and preferences are highly correlated with the size of the
POA.
3
A Difference in Hypothalamic Structure Between
Heterosexual and Homosexual Men
Simon LeVay
(confirmed 1989 Allen and Gorski findings)
hypothalamus.
Gender Identity: (the conviction of belonging to the
male or female gender). Is it nature or nurture?
Some boys in the
Dominican Republic
are identified and
raised as girls until
puberty.
These individual lack 5-a-
reductase or 17B-hydroxy-
steroid-dihydrogenase which
prevents peripheral
testosterone from being
converted to
dehydrotestosterone.
At puberty androgen
production increases and they
become externally
masculinized. Anecdotal data
indicate that 60% make the
transition into teenage boys
with little fanfare.
A disastrous tale of nurture vs. nature: Bruce
becomes Brenda
Each of us has a gender identity - a private feeling that we are male or
female. There are two fundamentally different explanations for how this
develops.
Another view is that gender may is the result of nature, particularly the
effects of hormones on the developing brain.
HeteroM HeteroW
http://transascity.org/the-transgender-brain/
ALso
Let's split."
A neurosturgeon.
Supraoptic Nucleus (SON)
Gigi
Gizmo
Efferents to:
Functions:
produces oxytocin and vasopressin
osmosensitivity: water balance, blood volume
regulation, lactation, milk ejection,
stress response
SCN
lesioned
bilaterally
Bedtime self
selected at day 20
Pineal: site of melatonin synthesis
SCN
Melatonin is a popular OTC cure for jet lag
A PVN-Pineal Projection via the Stria medullaris thalami-Who knew?!!
Also related to daily rhythms
The lateral preoptic nucleus also receives afferents from
peripheral retina ganglion cells concerned with luminance.
vasodilation
increase in panting/respiration
Haines 7-2
Tracts: mammillothalamic and fornix
Haines 7-4
The Dorsal Longitudinal Fasciculus
The Medial Forebrain Bundle
Basal olfactory region
orbitofrontal cortex
entorhinal cortex
septal nuclei
Hypothalamus
Brainstem nuclei
Periaquaductal grey
Dorsal motor X
Review slides for your edification.
ADH and oxytocin are
secreted by
hypothalamus and
carried in axons to
posterior lobe for
direct release.
ADH water retention Supraoptic and
by kidney paraventricular
nuc.
* Vasodilation
Horners syndrome cont.
The lateral hypothalamus projects to
sympathetic centers in the lateral medulla. There
are also descending hypothaamospinal
connections directly to the IMLCC.