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The Japan Neuroendocrine Society is an interdisciplinary organization encompassing the neuroendocrine field from basic research to clinical issues, and consists of about 600 members. The members mainly include researchers in basic medicine (anatomy, physiology) and clinical medicine (internal medicine, gynecology and obstetrics) of the medical department and the departments of science, agriculture, and fisheries. This society holds an annual scientific meeting where results of studies on neuroendocrinology are presented, and information is provided to society. Our society was previously a section of the Japan Endocrine Society but became independent in 1995. Our society has a history of 50 years from its first scientific meeting held in 1967. In addition to scientific meetings, the Kawakami Prize, the Young Investigator Award and the Research Grant System for Young Investigators were established to encourage excellence in research, and newsletters are published. As the organization, there are directors and councilors as officials, and management is performed by 15 directors and 2 inspectors. In 2001, this society joined the International Neuroendocrine Federation for exchange with neuroendocrine researcher in various countries in the world.
What is neuroendocrinology?
Our body has mechanisms to maintain the internal environment (such as temperature or blood volume and components) at a certain level when environmental changes (such as changes in temperature or light, or encounter with other humans or objects) occur, or if we move or change posture by ourselves. This is called homeostasis. The autonomic nervous system and endocrine system are mainly involved in homeostasis, and hormones and chemical substances are involved in its actions. The autonomic system and endocrine system are controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain, and the hormone control mechanism mainly by the hypothalamus/pituitary gland system is called neuroendocrinology. Therefore, endocrinology studies internal (peripheral) hormonal mechanisms while neuroendocrinology encompasses with endocrinology in the brain (center). Control mechanisms (such as reproduction, sexual behavior, stress responses, temperature, eating, humoral balance, and drinking) and their destruction are studied by methods such as genes, molecular biology, morphology, electrophysiology, biochemical quantification, and imaging.
Japan Neuroendocrine Society
The 6th floor, Takakura Building 343-1,
Shijo-cho, Shijo Shinmachi-sagaru,
Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8441 Japan
TEL: +81-75-354-3562
FAX: +81-75-354-3561
E-mail: jnes@endo-society.or.jp |
Copyright (C) 2009 Japan Neuroendocrine Society. All Rights Reserved.
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