The brain as an endocrine gland in adult and in developing ofranism

摘要

It is suggested that the abult mammals' brain is, on the one hand, a conglomerate of neuronal assemblies within which information is being transmitted with the aid of chemical signals, and on the other hand, a considerable part of the neurons are secreting cells and their accumulations by their functional characteristics are identical to endocrine glands. Proceeding from the brain dualism, a question arises: which of the two functions is the pimary one? It seems that, prior to forming specific interneuronal links and blood-brain barrier, the neurons function as secreting cells and the brain--as an endocrine gland. The physiologically active substances (FASs) entering the general circulation system from the brain seem to take part in regulation of development of the visceral target organs and the brain itself. Forming of the interneuronal links and blood-brain barrier leads to a qualitative jump in the brain development followed by a considerable limitation of its endocrine functions. According to this concept, the brain, prior to the moment of forming of the interneuronal links and blood-brain barrier, does not influence the development of the whole organism whereas development of the brain itself is regulated by the hormones of the foetus and placenta's endocrine glands.