Psychosomatics: Endocrine System

Miguel Agustin ST Francisco, RPm,

MPsy Cand
 What is Endocrine Signalling?
• Endocrine Cells secrete chemical into
bloodstream
– Contrast with paracrine and autocrine
 7 Classical Endocrine Glands
• Pituitary Gland
• Thyroid Gland
• Parathyroid Gland
• Adrenal Gland
• Pancreas
• Ovaries
• Testes
 Non Classical Endocrine Organs
• CNS
– Hypothalamus
– Pineal Gland
• GI
– GI Tract
– Liver
– Adipocytes
• Heart
• Kidney
 The Endocrine System Heirarchy
• The endocrine system is
arranged heirachically
with the Hypothalamus
at the top and the
Pituitary being second
• Feedback loops and
releasing hormones
allow for regulation
 Hypothalamus & the Pituitary Gland
• Hypothalamus
– Inferior to the thalamus; superior to the pituitary
gland
– In charge of secreting
• Regulatory Hormones
– Promotes or inhibits release of Anterior Pituitary Hormones
• Posterior Pituitary Hormones
 Hypothalamus & the Pituitary Gland
• Pituitary Gland
– Aka, Hyophysis
– Inferior to the Hypothalamus
– Divided into the Anterior Pituitary
(Adenohypophysis) and Posterior Pituitary
(Neurohypophysis)
• The neurohypophysis directly receives nerves and its
secretions from the hypothalamus
 Hypothalamus & Pituitary Hormones
Hypothalamic Hormone Anterior Pituitary Hormone
Releasing Hormone Inhibiting Hormone
Growth Hormone Growth Hormone (Somatotropin)
Releasing Hormone Growth Hormone
(GHRH, Somatoliberin) Inhibiting Hormone
Thyrotropin Releasing (GHIH, Somatostatin) Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Hormone (TRH)
Corticotropin Releasing (Negative Feedback) Adenocorticotropic Hormone
Hormone (CRH) (Corticotropin)
Gonadotropin Gonadotropin Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Releasing Hormone Inhibiting Hormone Luteinizing Hormone
(GnRH) (GnIH)
(GnRH, TRH, etc.) (dopamine) Prolactin
 Adenohypophysis Hormones
Anterior Pituitary Hormone
Growth Hormone (Somatotropin)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Adenocorticotropic Hormone
(Corticotropin)
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Luteinizing Hormone
Prolactin
Physiological Function
Stimulates production of growth factors
Stimulates production of thyroid hormones
Stimulates production of corticosteroids (adrenal
hormones)
Stimulates production of estrogens and
progesterone, regulates menstrual cycle, regulates
spermatogenesis
Stimulates production of testosterone, regulates
menstrual cycle
Stimulates mammary gland milk production
 Neurohypophysis Hormones
Posterior Pituitary Hormone
(Arginine) Vasopressin (AVP) aka
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Oxytocin (OT)
Physiological Function
Stimulates water reabsorption in kidneys, hence
decreasing the need to urinate
Stimulates contraction of uterus and breast
Psychological Effects of Posterior Pituitary
Hormones
• Both have been implicated in pair-bonding
– A study on mice species show that the
polygamous mice species had less AVP & OT
receptors in the Ventral Striatum
 Psychological Effects of Posterior Pituitary
Hormones
• Oxytocin
– Prosocial Hormone
• Trust, attachment, helping others, approaching others
– Has been found to enhance negative social emotions
as well
• Envy, schadenfreude
– Enhances facial recognition of disgust
– May decrease fear (via the amygdala) but may also
enhance fear related to a stimulus
– Antidepressant effect
 Psychological Effects of Posterior Pituitary
Hormones
• Vasopressin
– Related to aggression (especially toward other
males) and stress response (most probably
synergistic with adrenal hormones)
 Thyroid Gland
• Secretes
– Thyroxine (T4)
– Triiodothyronin (T3)
– Calcitonin
• T4 & T3 have functions in
metabolism and early
nervous system
development
 T 4 & T3
• Triiodothyronine seems to affect serotonergic
neurons
• T3 Therapy seems promising for depressions
patients who have not responded to usual
treatment
 Parathyroid Hormone
• Parathormone and Calcitonin function in
Calcium Metabolism
– Calcium Channels in the brain are related to
different psychopathologies
• Parathormone increases Vitamin D synthesis
– Vitamin D deficiency is linked with depression
 Adrenal Glands
• Subdivided into an adrenal
cortex and an adrenal medulla
• Cortex secretes
– Corticosteroids
• Glucocorticoids
– Cortisol which affects metabolism in
preparation for stress
• Mineralocorticoids
– Aldosterone which regulates
electrolytes
• Medulla secretes
– Epinephrine & Norepinephrine
• Activates Fight or Flight
 Cortisol
• Popularly known as the stress hormone
• Short term exposure is adaptive
– Makes glucose available in the bloodstream
• Chronic exposure is detrimental
– Leads to muscle wasting, immunosuppresion heart
disease, etc.
• Psychological effect, together with adrenaline,
involves flashbulb memory, but chronic exposure
leads to hippocampal damage
– Linked with dendritic retraction
 Gonadotropins
• Testosterone, Estrogens
– Throwback to Reproductive system lecture
– No need to discuss in detail here
– Testosterone and Estrogen excesses have been
linked to impulse control problems
• Prolactin
– Associated with sexual satisfaction and the
refractory period
– Inhibited by dopamine
Non Classical Endocrine Hormones
• Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)
– As the name implies, it is secreted in the heart,
specifically by the cardiac myocytes
– As the name implies, it induces sodium excretion via
urination
• This is to regulate blood pressure and heart rate
– ANP also has psychological functions
• Heart & Emotions are closely tied
• ANP Deficiency is linked with anxiety, addiction, and stress
• ANP can also counteract CRH & ACTH
Non Classical Endocrine Hormones
• Melatonin
– Secreted by the pineal gland
– Regulates circadian rhythm
• May worsen depression
• Stimulates release of GnIH