Biomaterial Database

Amenorrhea in anorexia nervosa. Neuroendocrine control of hypothalamic dysfunction. 1994

N H Golden, and I R Shenker

Eating Disorders Center, Schneider Children's Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York.

Amenorrhea is one of the cardinal features of anorexia nervosa and is associated with hypothalamic dysfunction. Earlier theories of weight loss, decreased body fat, or exercise do not fully explain the etiology of amenorrhea in anorexia nervosa. Disturbances in central dopaminergic and opioid activity have been described in anorexia nervosa and both these substances are known to modulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-mediated luteinizing hormone (LH) release. Serum LH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and prolactin levels were measured at baseline and after administration of metoclopramide (a central D-2 dopamine receptor blocker) in 10 newly diagnosed women with anorexia nervosa and in 10 healthy age-matched controls. Basal prolactin levels and the prolactin response to metoclopramide were significantly impaired in the group with anorexia nervosa. Metoclopramide did not induce a significant rise in LH levels in either the anorexic or the control groups. Neurotransmitter abnormalities may influence hypothalamic dysfunction in anorexia nervosa but the exact mechanism remains to be determined.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007031	Hypothalamus	Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE.	Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D007986	Luteinizing Hormone	A major gonadotropin secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Luteinizing hormone regulates steroid production by the interstitial cells of the TESTIS and the OVARY. The preovulatory LUTEINIZING HORMONE surge in females induces OVULATION, and subsequent LUTEINIZATION of the follicle. LUTEINIZING HORMONE consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is common in the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity.	ICSH (Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone),Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone,LH (Luteinizing Hormone),Lutropin,Luteoziman,Luteozyman,Hormone, Interstitial Cell-Stimulating,Hormone, Luteinizing,Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone
D007987	Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone	A decapeptide that stimulates the synthesis and secretion of both pituitary gonadotropins, LUTEINIZING HORMONE and FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE. GnRH is produced by neurons in the septum PREOPTIC AREA of the HYPOTHALAMUS and released into the pituitary portal blood, leading to stimulation of GONADOTROPHS in the ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND.	FSH-Releasing Hormone,GnRH,Gonadoliberin,Gonadorelin,LH-FSH Releasing Hormone,LHRH,Luliberin,Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone,Cystorelin,Dirigestran,Factrel,Gn-RH,Gonadorelin Acetate,Gonadorelin Hydrochloride,Kryptocur,LFRH,LH-RH,LH-Releasing Hormone,LHFSH Releasing Hormone,LHFSHRH,FSH Releasing Hormone,Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone,LH FSH Releasing Hormone,LH Releasing Hormone,Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone,Releasing Hormone, LHFSH
D008787	Metoclopramide	A dopamine D2 antagonist that is used as an antiemetic.	4-Amino-5-chloro-N-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)-2-methoxybenzamide,Cerucal,Maxolon,Metaclopramide,Metoclopramide Dihydrochloride,Metoclopramide Hydrochloride,Metoclopramide Monohydrochloride,Metoclopramide Monohydrochloride, Monohydrate,Primperan,Reglan,Rimetin,Dihydrochloride, Metoclopramide,Hydrochloride, Metoclopramide,Monohydrochloride, Metoclopramide
D009490	Neurosecretory Systems	A system of NEURONS that has the specialized function to produce and secrete HORMONES, and that constitutes, in whole or in part, an ENDOCRINE SYSTEM or organ.	Neuroendocrine System,Neuroendocrine Systems,Neurosecretory System,System, Neuroendocrine,System, Neurosecretory,Systems, Neuroendocrine,Systems, Neurosecretory
D011388	Prolactin	A lactogenic hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). It is a polypeptide of approximately 23 kD. Besides its major action on lactation, in some species prolactin exerts effects on reproduction, maternal behavior, fat metabolism, immunomodulation and osmoregulation. Prolactin receptors are present in the mammary gland, hypothalamus, liver, ovary, testis, and prostate.	Lactogenic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropin,PRL (Prolactin),Hormone, Pituitary Lactogenic,Hormone, Pituitary Mammotropic,Pituitary Lactogenic Hormone,Pituitary Mammotropic Hormone
D004298	Dopamine	One of the catecholamine NEUROTRANSMITTERS in the brain. It is derived from TYROSINE and is the precursor to NOREPINEPHRINE and EPINEPHRINE. Dopamine is a major transmitter in the extrapyramidal system of the brain, and important in regulating movement. A family of receptors (RECEPTORS, DOPAMINE) mediate its action.	Hydroxytyramine,3,4-Dihydroxyphenethylamine,4-(2-Aminoethyl)-1,2-benzenediol,Dopamine Hydrochloride,Intropin,3,4 Dihydroxyphenethylamine,Hydrochloride, Dopamine
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000568	Amenorrhea	Absence of menstruation.	Postpartum Amenorrhea,Amenorrhea, Postpartum,Postpartum Amenorrheas