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Klappentext Vasopressin and oxytocin are the key hormones of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system, and are well-known to be critically involved in antidiuresis, labor, and milk ejection. This book highlights the latest research on vasopressin and oxytocin, covering multiple biological aspects. The capacity of both hormones to regulate various aspects of social behaviours including pair-bonding, aggression, maternal love, and sexual behaviour, is a main focus, as are their interactions with a variety of other neuromodulators and transmitters. Moreover, the book illustrates the recent development of vasopressin and oxytocin agonists/antagonists as potential drugs to treat not only disturbances of body fluid homeostasis, but also mental disorders, including social phobia, autism, anxiety, and depression. The promising combination of basic and clinical research, comprising physiology, neuroendocrinology, behavioral biology, pharmacology, imaging and molecular genetics makes this book an essential addition to both experts and scientists new to the field alike. Zusammenfassung Vasopressin and oxytocin are the key hormones of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system! and are well-known to be critically involved in antidiuresis! labor! and milk ejection. This book highlights the research on vasopressin and oxytocin! covering multiple biological aspects. Inhaltsverzeichnis I. VASOPRESSIN AND OXYTOCIN IN EVOLUTION, SEXUAL DICHOTOMY AND STRESS Nonapeptides and the evolutionary patterning of sociality. Sex differences in vasopressin and oxytocin innervation of the brain. The parvocellular vasopressinergic system and responsiveness of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis during chronic stress. II. GENETICS MEETS BEHAVIOR Experimental approaches for the study of oxytocin and vasopressin gene expression in the central nervous system. Oxytocin knockout mice: a model for studying stress-related and ingestive behaviors. The role of the vasopressin 1b receptor in aggression and other social behaviors. Behavioral studies using temporal and spatial inactivation of the oxytocin receptor. New aspects of oxytocin receptor function revealed by knockout mice: sociosexual behaviour and control of energy balance. III. REGULATION OF VASOPRESSIN AND OXYTOCIN RELEASE Regulation of vasopressin release by co-released neurotransmitters: Mechanisms of purinergic and adrenergic synergism. Neuron-glia interactions in the rat supraoptic nucleus. Dynamic synapses in the hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal system. Endogenous modulators of synaptic transmission: cannabinoid regulation in the supraoptic nucleus. Oxytocin and appetite. IV. NONAPEPTIDE RECEPTORS: REGULATION AND SIGNALING Neural mechanisms underlying the milk ejection burst and reflex. Oxytocin receptor signalling. Neurosteroids are excitatory in supraoptic neurons but inhibitory in the peripheral nervous system: it's all about oxytocin and progesterone receptors. Oxytocin receptors: ligand binding, signaling and cholesterol dependence. V. NEURONAL ACTIONS OF NONAPEPTIDES Opposite effects of oxytocin and vasopressin on the emotional expression of the fear response. Multi-factorial somato-dendritic regulation of phasic spike discharge in vasopressin neurons. Neurophysiology of supraoptic neurons in C57/BL mice studied in three acute in-vitro preparations. Effects of oxytocin on GABA signalling in the fetal brain during delivery. VI. REGULATION OF SOCIAL BEHAVIORS Central vasopressin and oxytocin release: regulation of complex social behaviours. Interactions between dopamine and oxytocin in the control of sexual behaviour. Steroidal/neuropeptide interactions in hypothalamus and amygdala related to social anxiety. Functional magnetic resonance imaging and the neurobiology of vasopressin and oxytocin. Evolution of the arginine vasopressin 1 a receptor and im...
