Ferguson AV, Latchford KJ, Samson WK. The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus - a potential target for integrative treatment of autonomic dysfunction.
Expert Opin Ther Targets 2008;
12:717-27. [PMID:
18479218 DOI:
10.1517/14728222.12.6.717]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) has emerged as one of the most important autonomic control centers in the brain, with neurons playing essential roles in controlling stress, metabolism, growth, reproduction, immune and other more traditional autonomic functions (gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular).
OBJECTIVES
Traditionally the PVN was viewed as a nucleus in which afferent inputs from other regions were faithfully translated into changes in single specific outputs, whether neuroendocrine or autonomic. Here we present data which suggest that the PVN plays significant and essential roles in integrating multiple sources of afferent input and sculpting an integrated autonomic output by concurrently modifying the excitability of multiple output pathways. In addition, we highlight recent work that suggests that dysfunction of such intranuclear integrative circuitry contributes to the pathology of conditions such as hypertension and congestive heart failure.
CONCLUSIONS
This review highlights data showing that individual afferent inputs (subfornical organ), signaling molecules (orexins, adiponectin), and interneurons (glutamate/GABA), all have the potential to influence (and thus coordinate) multiple PVN output pathways. We also highlight recent studies showing that modifications in this integrated circuitry may play significant roles in the pathology of diseases such as congestive heart failure and hypertension.
Collapse