Clinical Neuropharmacology of Hypothalamic Releasing Factors

Abstract

DURING the past decade developments in the area of neuroendocrine research have transformed it into one of the most exciting and rapidly changing aspects of endocrinology. The chemotransmitter concept of neural control of the anterior pituitary gland has been established, several of the hypothalamic releasing factors or releasing hormones have been purified, characterized and even synthesized, and extensive investigation of neuropharmacologic control mechanisms has been performed. Several excellent reviews and symposia have recently appeared.^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7} This review will attempt to assess the current concepts of the neurochemical basis of hypothalamic releasing-factor control and to summarize at the clinical level the present . . .