Neurochemical anatomy of the neuroendocrine hypothalamus. Neurochemical anatomy of the hypothalamus.

Microdissection techniques for isolated removal of the various regions of the hypothalamus as well as the individual hypothalamic nuclei are detailed. Recent development of biochemical microassays have made it possible that the concentrations of neurohormones, neuropeptides, neurotransmitters and their related enzymes could be detected in such a small volume of brain tissue than the hypothalamic nuclei. Data available of the hypothalamic distribution of above substances are summarized. The possible role and origin of intra- and extrahypothalamic neurohormones as well as the existence of the so-called "hypophysiotrophic area" are discussed.