In this second edition of An Introduction to Neuroendocrinology, we have rewritten and greatly extended the original content. The revised text includes entirely new reference lists and a complete new set of illustrations. The book reflects the many advances that have occurred in the study of neuroendocrinology during the past 20 years. Nevertheless, and although the text is based largely on modern references, our primary aim is to provide an introductory description of mammalian neuroendocrine control systems. Several books are available that cover this topical and clinically relevant field, but, although valuable, these tend to be advanced texts of the edited, multi-author type. Our book is designed to provide the basic principles necessary to understand how the brain controls, and responds to, the endocrine hormones. It will be suitable for a variety of different students and especially those who might not have been previously exposed to a focused course in neuroendocrinology. Thus, students in psychology, biology and science should be able to master much of the basic material. However, the book is also highly appropriate for honors students and first-year graduate students in physiology, anatomy, neuroscience and medicine. This book is therefore designed for students in two levels of classes: introductory classes, in which all of the material will be new to the student, and more advanced classes, in which the students will be familiar with many of the terms and concepts through courses in biology, physiology, psychology or neuroscience, but who have not studied neuroendocrinology as an integrated discipline.

This book offers an overall outline of the neuroendocrine system and will provide the vocabulary necessary to understand the interaction between hormones and the brain. In addition, we provide a concise description of those topics that must underpin any attempt to learn, and to teach, neuroendocrinology. For example, there are chapters on basic neuroscience (neurotransmitters and neuropeptides), the physiology of the endocrine glands (hormones), receptors and receptor signaling mechanisms (e.g. G proteins; nuclear receptors), hormone assay and gene expression techniques (e.g. ELISA; in situ hybridization) and a description of the immune system, with particular emphasis on the integration of immune and neuroendocrine pathways.