Clinical Neuroendocrinology

Clinical Neuroendocrinology, a volume in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology Series gives an overview of the current knowledge in the field of clinical neuroendocrinology. It focuses on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. It integrates a large number of medical disciplines, including clinical endocrinology, pediatrics, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, clinical genetics, and radiotherapy. Psychological consequences of various disorders and therapies, as well as therapeutic controversies, are discussed. It is the first textbook in the field to address all these aspects by a range of international experts.

All contributors are recognized experts in the different fields of clinical neuroendocrinologyThe book provides expanded coverage on hypothalamic mechanisms in human pathophysiologyThe book includes current perspectives, diagnosis and treatment of pituitary diseases

Section 1 Clinical aspects of hypothalamic function
Development
1. Genetic aspects of hypothalamic and pituitary gland development 
2. Neuroendocrinology of pregnancy and parturition
Vasopressin, oxytocin, CRH
3. Disorders of water metabolism: diabetes insipidus and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion 
4. Oxytocin and vasopressin’s role in emotional and social behaviors 
5. Corticotrophin-releasing hormone and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in psychiatric disease
Metabolism
6. Genetic aspects of human obesity 
7. Sleep characteristics and insulin sensitivity in humans 
8. Hypothalamic neuropeptides in critical illness 
9. Central regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis – focus on clinical aspects
 
Section 2 Disorders of the pituitary gland
Diagnostic approach
10. Evaluation of pituitary function 
11. Imaging of pituitary pathology
Pituitary pathologies
12. Non-functioning pituitary tumors 
13. Hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma 
14. Acromegaly 
15. Cushing's disease 
16. Craniopharyngioma 
17. Rathke’s cleft 
18. Alternative causes of hypopituitarism: traumatic brain injury, cranial irradiation and infections
Therapeutic approach to pituitary tumors
19. Surgical approach to pituitary tumors 
20. Medical approach to pituitary tumors 
21. Radiation therapy in the management of pituitary adenomas
 
Section 3 Controversial issues and hot topics
22. Nelson Syndrome, definition and management
23. Familial pituitary tumours 
24. Long-term effects of treatment of pituitary adenomas 
25. Neuroendocrine mechanisms in athletes 
26. Uncertainties in endocrine substitution therapy for central hypocortisolism 
27. Uncertanties in endocrine substitution therapy for central endocrine insufficiencies: Hypothyroidism 
28. Uncertanties in endocrine substitution therapy for central endocrine insufficiencies: growth hormone deficiency 
29. Autoimmune hypophysitis: new developments