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This book contains the essential information required by physicians and bench scientists to understand the definition of a given autoimmune disease and its diagnostic criteria and treatment. Autoimmune diseases are a family of more than one hundred chronic, and often disabling, illnesses that develop when underlying defects in the immune system lead the body to attack its own organs, tissues, and cells. In Autoimmune Disease Diagnosis: Systemic and Organ-specific Diseases, the editors have gathered a critical review by renowned experts of more than 120 autoimmune diseases. A contemporary overview of these conditions with special emphasis on diagnosis is presented. This edition of Autoimmune Disease Diagnosis is divided into two parts, the first covering systemic autoimmune diseases, and the second covering organ-specific autoimmune diseases. They cover all the newly approved classification criteria, such as those for systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, several systemic vasculitis, etc. This edition also reviews newly described systemic autoimmune conditions: immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, VEXAS, immunoglobulin G4-associated autoimmune disease, autoimmune/autoinflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA), and autoimmune manifestations induced by immune-therapies. Several organ-specific diseases have been added, including autoimmune alopecia and other immune-mediated dermatosis, autoimmune encephalitis, and autoimmune dysautonomia, among others. This is an essential guide to the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases for internists, rheumatologists, clinical immunologists, primary care physicians, and bench scientists.

Oculoplastic, Lacrimal and Orbital Surgery: The ESOPRS Textbook informs the reader of recent insights and new developments in the fields of ophthalmic plastic, lacrimal and orbital surgery. This textbook is relevant to readers preparing for the EBO-ESOPRS examination, but will also be of interest to residents and fellows in ophthalmology, plastic surgery, dermatology and all specialists with an interest in oculoplastic, lacrimal and orbital surgery. Volume 2 is divided into three sections: the first section includes chapters on socket surgery, the second section examines diseases of the orbit and the third is on thyroid associated orbitopathy. For further reading, please see Volume 1 of the textbook, which explores functional eyelid disorders, rejuvenation of periorbital region and lacrimal disorders.

The book provides complete information on the cornerstones of precision medicine through the omics approach. Clinical applications of genomics and precision medicine have progressed from a theoretical wish list to an impactful force in medical practice.Step-by-step descriptions are provided from basics to the future application and its benefit in clinical practice. Precision medicine aims to personalize health care by tailoring decisions and treatments to each individual in every possible way. Precision medicine includes pharmacogenomics. Essential information is provided on the role of precision medicine and pharmacogenomics in the clinical practice of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, psychiatric disease, and also the importance for healthcare professionals. This book will assist the practitioners how to integrate precision medicine and pharmacogenomics data into their clinical practice. It is hoped that physicians, pharmacists, and scientists with basic scientific knowledge of precision medicine will findthis book useful.

This encyclopedia volume covers the complete field of endocrine pathology – from Acidophil Stem Cell Adenoma to Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome. The alphabetically arranged entries, each of which provides a detailed description of a specific pathological disease pattern, allow readers to quickly and easily find the information they need.

Every surgical subspecialty has been rapidly developing with establishment of the board certification. The Division of Endocrine Surgery (DES) of the European Board of Surgery has defined the curriculum for Endocrine Surgery to include thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and GEP-NET surgery, and handles accreditation in Endocrine Surgery. The first examinations in Endocrine Surgery in Europe have been introduced in 2003. The main goal of the exam is to maintain a uniform and high standard of endocrine surgical professionalism across the Europe.This book was completed with the expectation that it would benefit all European surgeons looking to be certified in Endocrine Surgery. Additionally, surgeons from the United States and other non-EU countries we hope will also benefit from this book. There is a need for a specialized book that reviews evidence based endocrine surgery that aligns itself with current curriculum standards in the field. The book contains knowledge that is expected to be known on the board examination of the DES. In general, chapters start with a patient's case followed by questions. The subsequent comprehensive yet concise main text provides all the information needed for a successful DES exam and cites important references. After the patient case and questions, the text goes on to define the condition, the standard of care approach to establish the diagnosis, perform diagnostic tests of choice, review evidence-based treatment options including medical therapy, preparation for surgery. The chapters conclude with follow up care and long term outcomes. The topics discussed within this book closely follow the curriculum of the European Board of Surgery Examination.Written by experts in the field, Endocrine Surgery Comprehensive Board Exam Guide is a valuable source of preparation for the Endocrine Surgery examination and brings Endocrine Surgery to a higher level of expertise byhelping to raise the standard of training for future endocrine surgeons.

This comprehensive reference book is meant to support clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of polyendocrine diseases and endocrine neoplastic syndromes. Although a large majority of endocrine diseases present as sporadic cases, an increasing proportion can be identified as part of a polyendocrine or systemic syndrome. These include autoimmune endocrine diseases, which may be part of autoimmune polyendocrine disorders (APS) or rare complex disorders such as POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein and skin changes) or IPEX (immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked) syndromes. On the other hand, endocrine tumors may develop in a variety of clinical conditions, including multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes, syndromic diseases such as McCune Albright or Carney's complex, or peculiar familial associations such as pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma syndromes. The book discusses the significant advances that have been made in the clinical and genetic characterization of such entities, with major implications in terms of diagnosis and clinical management - with special attention to emerging syndromes, familial screening, multidisciplinarity and multimodal treatment. This volume is intended for clinicians, residents, specialists and physicians involved in the diagnosis and treatment of affected patients, including specialists in endocrinology, internal medicine, oncology, genetics and imaging.

In recent years, several scientific papers have highlighted the role of the thyroid system in cardioprotection, and several clinical studies – including multicenter studies – have identified the role of thyroid hormones (TH) in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease, making an update of TH and heart relationship both necessary and timely. This second edition of Thyroid and Heart failure provides a careful and updated review of the experimental, clinical and epidemiological results in the field of TH and heart failure, with a particular focus on the translational - bench to bedside - significance of the obtained results. It discusses topics such as the molecular, structural, functional, cellular and histological cardiac changes; the reversibility of these changes with TH replacement therapy; the systemic effects – kidney, hormonal pathways systems, brain, muscle, etc – of altered TH metabolism in HF, as well as the clinical and prognostic implications. The section devoted to the potential therapeutic treatments has been expanded. Thanks to its translational approach to this highly complex subject, the book will be of interest to a broad readership, including cardiologists, endocrinologists and internists.

This volume presents and analyses the ongoing arguments, controversies, challenges and debates on thyroid disease with a view to clarifying some uncertainties, and to making suggestions that will help resolve others.Issues such as thyroid disease during pregnancy, Hashimoto's disease, Hurthle cell lesions, solitary thyroid nodules, retrosternal goiter, thyroid cancer, recurrent thyroid disease, thyroidectomy techniques, post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia, and thyroid auto-transplantation are thoroughly explored. Richly illustrated, the book offers an invaluable tool for all specialists and trainees entrusted with the care of patients suffering from thyroid disease.

This book is an up-to-date and comprehensive guide to all the common thyroid disorders that may be seen by internists, endocrinologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and endocrine surgeons. While the fundamentals of thyroid hormone function and regulation in health and disease are well covered, the primary focus is on the clinical approach to thyroid disease, with detailed coverage of both initial diagnosis and management and the role of imaging. Because most endocrine diseases are chronic and lifelong, special emphasis is placed on long-term management and the common pitfalls that may be encountered by the clinician. The editors are internationally acknowledged leaders in the field of thyroid disease and have gathered an outstanding team of authors, all of whom are also highly expert in their respective areas, but who, equally importantly, write in a clear and lucid style. The numerous isotope scan and ultrasonographic images ensure that the book will serveas a valuable reference atlas to which the physician will return again and again.

This book presents the latest advances in knowledge of the pathogenesis of thyroid diseases and describes the state of the art in their diagnosis and treatment, including newly emerging management approaches. After an opening section that addresses thyroid physiology and laboratory evaluation, each of the major thyroid diseases and their subtypes is discussed, covering goiter and thyroid nodule, thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis, and thyroid carcinoma. Other conditions that affect thyroid function or induce thyroid dysfunction are also considered, e.g., pregnancy, non-thyroidal disorders, and medication use. The book is designed to assist practitioners to achieve optimal outcomes in clinical routine by providing clear guidance on clinical examination, the use of diagnostic tests, first- and second-line therapies, and follow-up. Chapter have been written by recognized experts in the field.

This book presents the state of the art in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapy of hypothalamic and pituitary disorders. After an introduction devoted to the physiology of the neuroendocrine control of the hypothalamic-pituitary unit, the diverse disorders involving hormonal excess or deficiency are systematically addressed axis by axis. For each disorder, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management are discussed in detail. In addition, individual chapters focus on the neuroendocrinology of energy homeostasis and of bone metabolism, metabolic derangement secondary to pituitary dysfunction, and pituitary control of the endocrine pancreas. While the focus of the book is predominantly on pathophysiological and clinical aspects, due attention is also devoted to potential diagnostic and therapeutic innovations. The book is intended as a major reference for endocrinologists and basic and clinical scientists.

This book offers a practical and modern update on radioisotope therapy. Clinically oriented, it provides a thorough guide to patient management, with the latest indications and procedures for the current radioisotopic treatments. It addresses the clinical problems associated with each respective pathology, discussing the management of patients (diagnosis and non-radioisotope therapy), the radiopharmaceuticals available today, and the current radioisotopic procedures. Wherever possible, information on dosimetry is included at the end of each topic, together with a list of and comments on the most recent guidelines with their recommendations for radiometabolic therapy.The book is divided into six main sections: thyroid diseases, hepatic tumors (HCC and hepatic metastases), bone metastases from prostate cancer, lymphomas, and neuroendocrine tumors. The last section is dedicated to new perspectives of radioisotope treatment. Based on contributions from of a multidisciplinary team of specialists: oncologists, surgeons, endocrinologists, hematologists, urologists, radiopharmacists and nuclear medicine physicians, it provides a comprehensive analysis of the position of radioisotope treatments among the various therapeutic options. Readers interested in targeted therapy, radiometabolic therapy, radioimmunotherapy and radiometabolic imaging will find this book both informative and insightful.

For the last two decades, this best-selling, step-by-step guide to oculoplastic surgery has been highly respected and widely used by ophthalmologists, oculofacial plastic fellows, residents, ENT-facial plastic surgeons, and general plastic surgeons. The revised and updated fifth edition of Manual of Oculoplastic Surgery is designed to guide the physician in exploring and completing a variety of ocular plastic procedures in a comprehensive and logical step-by-step sequence. It features new authors.Sections include: Trauma, Lacrimal Surgery, Cosmetic, Congenital Ptosis, Acquired Ptosis, Eyelid Malposition, Facial Nerve Dysfunction, Eyelid Flaps, Orbital Surgery, and Therapeutic Considerations. Each procedure in this must-have resource includes a review of the surgical anatomy, step-by-step instructions, plus the book is complete with more than one hundred color illustrations and dozens of surgical videos for further education.

This multi-chapter book focuses on one of the hottest topics in ageing research – the role of hormones in health and longevity, offering a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of their mechanistic roles in health, ageing and longevity. Hormones are an excellent system of communication between cells and tissues within an organism, and they coordinate a wide range of processes in biological systems, including neuroendocrine and immunological controls. The book offers insights into the latest significant advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of hormonal signaling that control a variety of processes involved in development and ageing.It is divided into four parts: Part I includes a review of the hundred-year history of hormones by the illustrious hormone biochemist Dr. J.R. Tata. Part II presents various chapters on the hormones involved in growth, stress and metabolism, while Part III addresses the hormones controlling cognition and rhythms in ageing processes. Lastly, Part IV discusses the hormones affecting reproduction, immunity and life span. It also explores the use of hormones as pharmaceuticals to maintain health in the elderly. It is a valuable resource for those working in the area of hormone signaling in general and in the field of ageing research in particular.

This book provides in-depth practical advice on how to manage children with endocrine conditions that may benefit from surgery. It is more detailed than general pediatric surgery texts and more surgically oriented than endocrinology texts. The first section is devoted to the thyroid and parathyroid, with detailed discussion of thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, and multiple endocrine neoplasia. The second section on the pancreas focuses on nesidioblastosis, islet cell transplantation, the surgical treatment of diabetes, and surgical complications of diabetes. Adrenal disorders are then discussed, followed by a section on the evaluation and management of ovarian and testicular torsion and tumors. The closing section addresses miscellaneous topics such as gynecomastia in boys and growth restriction surgery. This book will serve as an invaluable reference for all practitioners and trainees who care for children with endocrine problems for which surgery is considered.

Iodine is an essential micronutrient and an integral component of the thyroid hormones, which are required for normal growth and development. The iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) encompass a spectrum of adverse health effects including goiter, cretinism, hypothyroidism, growth retardation, and increased pregnancy loss and infant mortality. This volume summarizes the current understanding of the effects of iodine deficiency as well as iodine excess. It also discusses best practices for salt iodization, the mainstay of global IDD prevention efforts, and other forms of food fortification. The effectiveness of iodine supplementation for vulnerable populations, an evolving strategy in many regions, is also described. Low level environmental exposure to chemicals such as perchlorate and thiocyanate, which competitively block thyroidal iodine uptake, appears to be ubiquitous worldwide. There has been recent concern that such environmental exposures might pose a healthhazard by inducing or aggravating underlying thyroid dysfunction. This up-to-date volume explores both the effects of iodine deficiency as well as the best strategies for IDD prevention.

Thoroughly revised and extensively expanded, this encyclopedic, highly acclaimed title addresses all aspects of the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, initial treatment and long-term management of all varieties of thyroid cancer. Expertly edited by Drs. Leonard Wartofsky and Douglas Van Nostrand, this gold standard reference is divided into 11 Parts: General Considerations on Thyroid Cancer; General Considerations on Nuclear Medicine; the Thyroid Nodule; Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer; Variants of Thyroid Cancer, Undifferentiated Tumors: Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma; Undifferentiated Tumors: Thyroid Lymphoma; Undifferentiated Tumors: Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer; New Frontiers and Future Directions; and Additional Resources. With exceptional breadth and depth, the book includes chapters dedicated to isotopes, isotope uptake and scanning procedures such as SPECT/CT, radioiodine ablation (with or without recombinant human TSH), stunning, dosimetry (with or without recombinant human TSH), Octreotide and FDG-PET scanning and other alternative imaging modalities. There is a valuable reference atlas of scan images and illustrations, and a scholarly summary of the side effects of radioiodine and how to avoid or minimize adverse effects of treatment. In addition to an updated section on ultrasonography of the thyroid gland, new sections have been added, including ones on ultrasonography of cervical lymph nodes and imaging for thyroid cancer employing computerized tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An indispensable reference source with chapters written by the field's leading authoritative experts, Thyroid Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide to Clinical Management, Third Edition, will be of great interest to not only pathologists, endocrine surgeons, endocrinologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and oncologists but all clinicians with an interest in thyroid cancer.

This text provides a comprehensive review of the most frequently encountered diagnostic pitfalls in thyroid cytopathology. Written in a case study format, the text provides the most current and complete information on both non-neoplastic and neoplastic thyroid conditions. Each chapter focuses on a specific diagnostic challenge and/or pitfalls that help in the differential diagnosis as well as the judicious use of ancillary studies when necessary. A review of the current literature as it relates to each disease entity is also incorporated into respective chapters. Highly illustrated with ample illustration of microscopic features to tackle common and uncommon diagnostic challenge in everyday routine practice. This book provides a concise yet comprehensive summary of the common cytologic features needed to resolve the diagnostic pitfalls.Common Diagnostic Pitfalls in Thyroid Cytopathology serve as a very useful resource for pathologists and physicians dealing with, and interested in the thyroid.

This book provides comprehensive knowledge about thyroid gland and highlights the recent trends in the management of thyroid dysfunctions.Thyroid disorders are amongst the most prevalent of medical conditions possibly after diabetes. The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in adults in the general population ranges from 1 to 10 percent, and is even higher in selected groups. In the United Kingdom, 1–2% of the adult population is found to have thyroid dysfunction. It is interesting to note that thyroxin is the sixth most commonly dispensed drug in Scotland. Virtually all studies report higher prevalence rates for hypothyroidism in women and with advancing age. Abnormal thyroid functions have important public health consequences. Suppressed TSH levels have been associated with decreased bone density and with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and premature atrial beat. It has been known for decades that overt hypothyroidism contributes to elevated serum cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk and recent studies suggest this may also be true with subclinical hypothyroidism​.

Die Verfasser der verschiedenen Unterkapitel im vorliegenden Band »Urogenitale und Endokrine Organe, Gelenke und Skelett« sind führende Pathologen der Arbeitskreise, die sich mit den genannten Themen diagnostisch und wissenschaftlich beschäftigen. Bei der Darstellung der Erkrankungen wird das gesicherte Wissen unter Einarbeitung der bedeutsamen aktuellen Entwicklungen wiedergegeben. Insbesondere werden neue Terminologien, Klassifikationen, immunhistologische Befunde und molekulare Charakteristika dargestellt. Dies bedeutet, dass detailliert über die häufigen Erkrankungen gesprochen, dass aber auch über den »seltenen Fall« informiert wird. Insgesamt ist es das Ziel der vorliegenden Kapitel, Grundlage und Informationsquelle für die tägliche diagnostische Arbeit zu sein und dabei nicht nur Assistenzärzte in der Weiterbildung zum Pathologen oder Fachärzte für Pathologie, sondern auch Kliniker anzusprechen.

This book offers ophthalmologists and medical practitioners a concise, data-driven review of the information that is most relevant in guiding the diagnosis and management of thyroid-associated eye diseases (TED). Thyroid-Associated Eye Disease can be read in its entirety to give a perspective of the field, but also considered as a reference as clinical questions arise. The goal is to deliver data- driven guidance and discreet approaches and suggestions useful for clinical practice and decision making. Advances in diagnostic evaluation, including autoantibody assessment, are reviewed, and the diagnostic features of euthyroid TED are also discussed. All relevant aspects of treatment are covered, from the use of radioactive iodine, long-term medical therapy, and surgical thyroidectomy through to the treatment of active TED by steroids and novel biologics and the role of minimally invasive surgery. Numerous supporting images are included, and helpful checklists will aid the practitioner in treatment decision making.

This indispensable volume is designed to facilitate the best possible physician–patient discussion on Graves'disease by providing the most up-to-date evidence-based information in a clinically useful and patient-centric manner. Comprehensive and covering such topics as Professionalism and the Art of Patient-centric Thyroidology, the Immunopathogenesis of Graves'Disease, and the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Storm, the book addresses all the important refinements in the treatment of Graves'disease in recent years. These include new indications and contraindications for antithyroid drugs, improved approaches to radioactive iodine therapy, the development of novel surgical techniques, and a better understanding of the combined use of these modalities, among other developments. Also addressed are the advances in the treatment of GO, including the use of disease activity and severity assessments to inform management decisions and the completion of the first randomized controlled therapeutic trials. Developed by a renowned group of internationally respected authorities, Graves'Disease: A Comprehensive Guide for Clinicians is a significant new reference that will be of great interest to all clinicians who treat this debilitating condition.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of medullary thyroid carcinoma, both in the more common sporadic form and in the familial form, multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) types 2A and 2B. The coverage includes, but is not limited to, molecular biology and genetics, pathology, clinical presentation, imaging techniques, surgical treatment, and follow-up. The role of calcitonin as a highly sensitive and specific tumor marker for the screening, diagnosis, and follow-up of MTC and metastatic disease is described, and the significance of other tumor markers is also considered. With regard to treatment, the use of thyroidectomy is fully discussed, including in children carrying the mutations in the RET proto-oncogene considered causative for MEN 2. Additionally, the value of tyrosine kinase inhibitors as the most effective treatment modality in patients with a large tumor burden or rapid tumor growth, or both, is explained. Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma and Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 will be an ideal source of up-to-date information for a wide range of practitioners, including endocrinologists, oncologists, internal medicine specialists, geneticists, and nuclear medicine physicians.

Uterine myomas are the most common benign tumors in women, affecting the half of women and mostly in reproductive age. Myomas cause significant morbidity and are the single most common indication for hysterectomy around the world. Thus, myomas represent a major personal and public health concern worldwide. The diagnosis of fibroids can be established based on ultrasound and radiological imaging. Recent research on the genomics and molecular biology of myomas has enabled us to better understand the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of this benign tumor, but more remains to be discovered. In the clinical parterre, novel methods of conservative treatments have been developed to allow many women to keep their reproductive capacity and to save uterus, and more novel treatments are available on the horizon. For this topic, an outstanding group of worldwide experts have come together to provide a detailed discussion of basic research and clinical aspects of myomas. All the existing knowledge will be summarized in this book that can serve as a starting point for clinicians, young doctors, students, fellows and all researchers who want to read up on this disease. This book is devoted to myomas, covering both recent advances in our understanding of their behaviour, and an overview of the current options for their minimally invasive treatments, with endoscopy and new devices. As we learn more about the molecular, genetic and biology of myomas, we will be able to develop more innovative treatments.

In recent decades, cytopathology has assumed an increasing role in the primary diagnosis of mass lesions owing to its ability to deliver rapid, non-invasive, and timely information. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the role of cytology at various body sites. The diagnostic details covered are abbreviated in comparison with those in pathology texts. Instead, a more clinical approach is taken, with the focus on the advantages and limitations of techniques and the key features of entities that are important to clinicians. Pathological–clinical correlation is highlighted throughout the book, ensuring that it will be highly relevant for clinicians. In particular, physicians who deal with oncology patients will find it to be a rich source of guidance on how to use and understand cytopathology in the diagnosis and exclusion of malignancy.

Environmental Chemistry is a relatively young science. Interest in this subject, however, is growing very rapidly and, although no agreement has been reached as yet about the exact content and limits of this interdisciplinary subject, there appears to be increasing interest in seeing environmental topics which are based on chemistry embodied in this subject. One of the first objectives of Environ­ mental Chemistry must be the study of the environment and of natural chemical processes which occur in the environment. A major purpose of this series on Environmental Chemistry, therefore, is to present a reasonably uniform view of various aspects of the chemistry of the environment and chemical reactions occurring in the environment. The industrial activities of man have given a new dimension to Environ­ mental Chemistry. We have now synthesized and described over five million chemical compounds and chemical industry produces about one hundred and fifty million tons of synthetic chemicals annually. We ship billions of tons of oil per year and through mining operations and other geophysical modifications, large quantities of inorganic and organic materials are released from their natural deposits. Cities and metropolitan areas of up to 15 million inhabitants produce large quantities of waste in relatively small and confined areas. Much of the chemical products and waste products of modern society are released into the environment either during production, storage, transport, use or ultimate disposal. These released materials participate in natural cycles and reactions and frequently lead to interference and disturbance of natural systems.

Dieses Buch stellt das derzeitige Wissen über die Lithium- therapie in allen seinen klinisch relevanten Aspekten dar. Neben den theoretischen Grundlagen des Wirkungsmechanismus der Lithiumsalze von biochemischen bis tiefenpsychologischen Aspekten liegt der Schwerpunkt auf den klinischen Wirkungen und Nebenwirkungen. Dabei ist auch der Einsatz von Lithiumsalzen in nicht psychiatrischen Fachgebieten wie der Onkologie, Immunologie oder Dermatologie berücksichtigt. In komprimierter Form werden die für die praktische Therapie wichtigen wissenschaftlichen Ergebnisse sowie Richtlinien für die Behandlung und Kontrolle von Lithiumpatienten dargestellt. Abschließend wird auf notwendige Labormethoden sowie moderne medikamentöse Alternativen zur Lithiumprophylaxe affektiver Psychosen hingewiesen.

There is no area in medicine that has affected biological psychiatry more pro­ 15 years in en­ foundly than the developments that have occurred in the last docrinology and more specifically in neuroendocrinology. In the 1960s, the regulation of endocrine function was considered to rest primarily in the feed­ back system between the pituitary and the secretions of various target organs. In R. H. Williams'Fourth Edition of the Textbook of Endocrinology published in 1968, the chapter on neuroendocrinology did refer to the median eminence gland with a relatively brief mention of various releasing factors that were the subject of ongoing studies. Only six years later, in the Fifth Edition published in 1974, Seymour Reichlin's chapter on neuroendocrinology listed nine specific hypothalamic releasing factors of which three had already been isolated and purified and thus were referred to as hormones. Most recently in the current Sixth Edition, published in 1981, the chapter on neuroendocrinology contains a detailed description of the physiology of the various hypothalamic releasing factors and hormones, but also significant emphasis is given to the various neurotransmitters that have been shown to regulate the synthesis and release of these important hypothalamic hormones. In addition, there appeared for the first time in this classic textbook a chapter on psychoendocrinology. One may wonder why there is so much interest not only in endocrinology but more recently in psychology and psychiatry about psychoneuroendocrine It has been known for some time function. Several reasons may be suggested.