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Neuroendocrine Signaling

Meaning

Neuroendocrine signaling is the complex biological process where specialized nerve cells, or neurons, translate neural information into hormonal signals, effectively merging the nervous and endocrine systems into a single regulatory unit. This intricate communication pathway involves neurosecretory cells releasing hormones or neuropeptides directly into the systemic bloodstream or portal circulation to act on distant target cells. It is the fundamental mechanism governing the body’s adaptation to chronic stress, the precise regulation of metabolism, and the overall control of reproduction.