Neurophysiology of the Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is a small brain region located at the center of the brain, near the pituitary gland, that acts as “control center” and plays a vital role in the regulation of basic physiological needs. Through connections with structures of the endocrine and nervous systems, the hypothalamus is able to play an essential role in maintaining homeostasis by integrating signals from the brain and the body. In this chapter, multiple physiological processes regulated by the hypothalamus, including the regulation of food intake, reproduction, body temperature, fluid balance, and blood pressure, will be discussed. Each section will include the primary hypothalamic regions involved in these processes, the neurotransmitter systems integral for these hypothalamic functions, and a discussion of circuitry and pathways that regulate these basic functions.