Neuroendocrinologia dei disturbi dell umore

Mood disorders represent the most widespread prevalent and expensive psychiatric disorders. For a long time, the neuroendocrine system and the distribution of hormones through the brain and their modulatory role and influence in behavior and mood have been studied. The most important changes associated with mood disorders concern the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA), the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT), the hypothalamic-pituitary-GH (HPGH) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPGn) axes. The intriguing data obtained from studies focusing on central neuropeptidergic circuits and peripheral hormone systems have been very useful in understanding the pathophysiology of mood disorders, although additional researches are needed to confirm these findings. All these data underline the importance of neuroendocrine dysfunctions in both pathophysiology of mood disorders and in the development of new pharmacotherapies.