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Cited by 143Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicalsHypothalamic control of reproductive hormonesSexual Differentiation and Disorders

Neuroendocrine targets of endocrine disruptors

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Gore, Andrea C.·2010·Hormones
DOI 10.14310/horm.2002.1249PMC PMC2896297
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Abstract

The central neuroendocrine systems are responsible for the control of homeostatic processes in the body, including reproduction, growth, metabolism and energy balance, as well as stress responsiveness. These processes are initiated by signals in the central nervous system, specifically the hypothalamus, and are conveyed first by neural and then by endocrine effectors. The neuroendocrine systems, as the links between the brain and peripheral endocrine organs, play critical roles in the ability of an organism to respond to its environment under normal circumstances. When neuroendocrine homeostasis is disrupted by environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals, a variety of perturbations can ensue, particularly when endocrine disruption occurs during critical developmental time periods. This article will discuss the evidence for environmental endocrine disruption of neuroendocrine systems and the effects on endocrine and reproductive functions.

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  • Because synaptic plasticity is embedded in endocrine regulation, it is inherently vulnerable to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

    “Because synaptic plasticity is deeply embedded in endocrine regulation, it is inherently vulnerable to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), a diverse class of natural and synthetic compounds that interfere with hormonal signaling pathways and thereby alter development, metabolism, reproduction, and neural function (Gore, 2010; Somogyi et al., 2011).”

    From Environmental endocrine disruptors at the synapse: mechanisms linking chemical exposure to cognitive and behavioral dysfunction (2026) · cites this paper as Gore, 2010

    The Overview of neuroendocrine systems (section 1; page unavailable) says these systems both control and respond to hormonal signaling and are therefore logical targets for endocrine disruption. The Conclusions (section 8; page unavailable) likewise describes central neuroendocrine systems as highly vulnerable to environmental contaminants. The paper does not establish the more specific claim that synaptic plasticity itself is embedded in endocrine regulation or inherently vulnerable to EDCs. (LLM, conf=0.83)

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Authors
Gore, A. C.
Affiliations
The University of Texas at Austin (US)
Corresponding author
Gore, Andrea C.
ORCID
Gore, Andrea C.
Venue
Hormones
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2010-01
Volume
9
Issue
1
Pages
16-27
ISSN
  • 1109-3099 (ISSN-L)
  • 2520-8721
DOI
10.14310/horm.2002.1249
PMC
PMC2896297
OpenAlex
W2000712707
Cited by
143
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 5
FWCI
1.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • HORMONES (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (ES018139, ES007247, RC1ES018139, T32ES007247)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
Keywords
endocrine disruptors, neuroendocrine system, hypothalamus, reproductive function, stress responsiveness, energy balance
MeSH terms
Animals, Endocrine System Diseases, Environmental Exposure, Female, Homeostasis, Humans, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Male, Neurosecretory Systems, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Reproduction, Sex Differentiation, Thyroid Gland, Endocrine Disruptors, Neuroendocrine Cells

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