title: Visualizing hormone actions in the brain.
abstract: Profound and multifaceted effects of hormones on the development, maturation and function of the CNS are well documented. Recent developments in magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) permit detailed in vivo studies of cerebral structure and function in humans. Techniques to measure subtle differences in cerebral structure, regional brain activation, changes in blood flow and other physiological biomarkers allow us to translate experimental evidence of hormone effects obtained from animal models to humans. Here we review the imaging techniques available to support studies of hormone effects on the CNS, emphasizing the recent developments of MRI. In summarizing the major current studies we discuss the potential of these techniques for an emerging new field in endocrinology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, The Christie, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK. georg.brabant@manchester.ac.uk
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brabant
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cain
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Ilonka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kreitschmann-Andermahr
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006728:Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000502:physiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone