Description
Springer Neuroendocrinology of Aging 1st Editon 2012 Softbound by Joseph Meites
JOSEPH MEITES The idea that the endocrine system is involved in aging processes is as old as the beginnings of endocrinology. The first endocrine experiment related to aging was reported by Brown-Sequard, who is usually re garded as the 'father of endocrinology. ' In 1889, at the age of 72 years, he reported that he had succeeded in rejuvenating himself by injections of testicular extracts from dogs and guinea pigs. Although the favorable effects observed may have been due mainly to the powers of auto suggestion, his reports created a considerable interest in endocrinology and its relation to aging, and eventually led to the use of estrogens for treating certain pre-and postmenopausal symptoms in women, and an drogens for treating some symptoms in aging men. Up to about the 1960's, the relatively few studies on endocrine-aging relationships dealt mainly with changes in weight and histological appearance of endocrine organs in aging animals and human subjects, and included a limited number of measurements of endocrine function by bioassays and chem ical (for steroids) procedures. Within these limitations, gerontological investigators were unable to establish any definite relationships between endocrine functions and aging processes, with the exception of the con nection between reproductive decline and gonadal and pituitary activity. 1 Introduction.- 2 Neuroendocrinology of Aging: Retrospective, Current, and Prospective Views.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Retrospection.- 3. Current Neuroendocrine Theories of Aging.- 3.1. The Hypothalamic “Disregulation” Hypotheses.- 3.2. The Neurotransmitter Hypotheses.- 3.3. The Pituitary Hypotheses.- 3.4. Progeria and Progeroid Syndromes.- 3.5. The Stress Theory of Aging.- 4. Outlook.- 4.1. Refinement in Detection of Neuroendocrine Changes with Aging.- 4.2. Comparative Aspects of Neuroendocrine Changes with Aging.- 4.3. Relations between Neuroendocrine and Immune Controls in Aging.- 4.4. Molecular Biology of Brain Hormones and of Hormonal Actions on Brain.- 4.5. Changes with Aging in Hormone Metabolism and Tissue Responses.- 4.6. Oxidative Cell Damage with Aging and Actions of Hormones.- 5. Summary and Conclusions.- 6. References.- 3 Morphological Changes in the Hypothalamus and Other Brain Areas Influencing Endocrine Function during Aging.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Nerve Cell Loss.- 3. Other Morphological Changes.- 4. Hormones as Causative Factors in the Neuronal Degenerative Processes.- 4.1. Estrogens, Prolactin, and the Arcuate Nucleus.- 4.2. Glucocorticoids and the Hippocampus.- 4.3. Estrogens, Prolactin, and Nigrostriatal Neurons.- 5. Brain Lesions That Mimic Age-Related Changes.- 6. Biochemical Evidence for Age-Induced Morphological Changes.- 7. General Summary.- 8. References.- 4 Changes in Hypothalamic Hypophysiotropic Hormones and Neurotransmitters during Aging.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Aging of Dopaminergic Neurons.- 3. Aging of Noradrenergic Neurons.- 4. Aging of Serotonergic Neurons.- 5. Aging of Opioid Neurons.- 6. Aging of Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone (LHRH) Neurons.- 7. Aging of Somatostatin Neurons.- 8. Aging of Thyrotropin-Releasing-Hormone Neurons.- 9. Summary.- 10. References.- 5 Changes in Hormone Uptake and Receptors in the Hypothalamus during Aging.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Sex Steroid Uptake and Receptor Binding in the Hypothalamus during Aging.- 2.1. Estrogen Receptor Binding.- 2.2. Androgen Receptor Binding.- 2.3. Relation between Changes in Sex Steroid Uptake in the Hypothalamus and Changes in Feedback Response to Sex Steroids during Aging.- 2.4. Relation between Changes in Sex Steroid Binding to Receptors in the Hypothalamus and Changes in Hypothalamic Neuronal Numbers during Aging.- 3. Corticosteroid Uptake and Binding to Receptors in the Hypothalamus during Aging.- 4. Summary.- 5. References.- 6 Relation of Neuroendocrine System to Reproductive Decline in Female Rats.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Preliminary Comments on Hormonal Data in Old Rats.- 3. Relation of Neuroendocrine System to Ovarian Function after the End of Cyclicity.- 3.1. Senile Patterns of Ovarian Function.- 3.2. Aging of the Neuroendocrine Regulation of Ovarian Function.- 4. Relation of Neuroendocrine System to Ovarian Function during Cyclicity and Transition Period.- 4.1. Aging of Ovarian Function during Cyclicity: Physiological and Structural Changes.- 4.2. Aging of the Neuroendocrine Regulation of Cyclic Ovarian Function.- 5. Experimental Manipulations of Hypothalamic-Hypophysial-Ovarian Aging..- 5.1. Suspended Aging.- 5.2. Retarded Aging.- 5.3. Advanced Aging.- 6. Extrinsic and Intrinsic Aging.- 7. Conclusions.- 8. References.- 7 Changes in Ovarian Function and Gonadotropin and Prolactin Secretion in Aging Female Rats.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Changes in Ovarian Function.- 3. Changes in Gonadotropin Secretion.- 4. Changes in Prolactin Secretion.- 5. Alterations in Ovarian Steroid and Periovulatory Gonadotropin Secretion Preceding Cessation of Regular Estrous Cycles.- 6. Conclusions.- 7. References.- 8 The Reproductive Decline in Male Rats.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Testicular Structure and Function.- 2.1. Testicular Histology.- 2.2. Sperm Count and Fertility.- 2.3. Serum Steroid Levels.- 2.4. Gonadotropin Response of the Old Testes.- 2.5. Steroi