Hormones and Brain Plasticity (Series in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology) - Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura [Seduction28]

"Hormones and Brain Plasticity is a sophisticated synthesis, integrating theoretical and historical background with state-of-the-art knowledge about just how profoundly, and with exquisite regional and temporal specificity, hormones can impact the entire nervous system throughout the lifespan, in health and disease. Destined to become a fundamental source book in this important field."

- Lydia L. DonCarlos, Professor of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Loyola University Chicago


"Garcia-Seguras book is a bold and unique undertaking. It places hormonal actions in the midst of one the most basic functions of the brainits ability to change and adapt. Hormones have long been associated with reproduction and emotion. This book shows that, on careful examination, hormones are involved with virtually everything that the brain does."

- Janice M. Juraska, Professor of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Illinois


"Hormones and Brain Plasticity is certainly a book that every neuroscientist would want to have on the bookshelf. Indeed, this book provides in a clear and comprehensive manner the state of the art of this interesting research topic. Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura has done a great service to neuroscience and to the neuroendocrine community!"

- Roberto Cosimo Melcangi, Professor of Endocrinology, Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milano, Italy


The nervous system has a remarkable capacity for self-reorganization, and in this first systematic analysis of the interaction between hormones and brain plasticity, Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura proposes that hormones modulate metaplasticity in the brain. He covers a wide variety of hormones, brain regions, and neuroplastic events, and also provides a new theoretical background with which to interpret the interaction of hormones and brain remodeling throughout the entire life of the organism.

Garcia-Segura argues that hormones are indispensable for adequately adapting the endogenous neuroplastic activity of the brain to the incessant modifications in external and internal environments. Their regulation of neuroplastic events in a given moment predetermines new neuroplastic responses that will occur in the future, adapting brain reorganization to changing physiological and behavioral demands throughout the life of the organism. T

he cross-regulation of brain plasticity and hormones integrates information originated in multiple endocrine glands and body organs with information coming from the external world in conjunction with the previous history of the organism.

Multiple hormonal signals act in concert to regulate the generation of morphological and functional changes in neural cells, as well as the replacement of neurons, glial, and endothelial cells in neural networks. Brain remodeling, in turn, is involved in controlling the activity of the endocrine glands and regulating hormonal secretions.

This bidirectional adjustment of brain plasticity in response to hormonal inputs, and adjustment of hormonal concentrations in response to neuroplastic events are crucial for maintaining the stability of the inner milieu and for the generation of adequate behavioral responses in anticipation of--and in adaptation to--new social and environmental circumstances and life events, including pathological conditions.


About the Author

Luis M. Garcia-Segura is Research Professor and head of the department of functional and systems neurobiology at the Cajal Institute of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Madrid. He is internationally recognized by his pioneering studies on the actions of hormones in the regulation of brain plasticity.


Worth $73