Paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus

Not to be confused with Periventricular nucleus.
Not to be confused with Paraventricular thalamus.
Paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus
Human paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in this coronal section is indicated by the shaded area. Dots represent vasopressin (AVP) neurons (also seen in the supraoptic nucleus, SON). The medial surface is the 3rd ventricle (3V).
The paraventricular hypothalamus of the mouse brain
Details
Identifiers
Latinnucleus paraventricularis hypothalami
MeSHD010286
NeuroNames387
NeuroLex IDbirnlex_1407
TA98A14.1.08.909
TA25722
FMA62320
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN, PVA, or PVH) is a nucleus in the hypothalamus, that lies next to the third ventricle. Many of its neurons project to the posterior pituitary where they secrete oxytocin, and a smaller amount of vasopressin. Other secretions are corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).[1] CRH and TRH are secreted into the hypophyseal portal system, and target different neurons in the anterior pituitary. Dysfunctions of the PVN can cause hypersomnia in mice.[2] In humans, the dysfunction of the PVN and the other nuclei around it can lead to drowsiness for up to 20 hours per day.[3] The PVN is thought to mediate many diverse functions through different hormones, including osmoregulation, appetite, wakefulness, and the response of the body to stress.[4][5]

  1. ^ Ferguson AV, Latchford KJ, Samson WK (June 2008). "The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus - a potential target for integrative treatment of autonomic dysfunction". Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets. 12 (6): 717–27. doi:10.1517/14728222.12.6.717. PMC 2682920. PMID 18479218.
  2. ^ Chen, Chang-Rui; Zhong, Yu-Heng; Jiang, Shan; Xu, Wei; Xiao, Lei; Wang, Zan; Qu, Wei-Min; Huang, Zhi-Li (2021-11-17). Elmquist, Joel K; Wong, Ma-Li; Lazarus, Michael (eds.). "Dysfunctions of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus induce hypersomnia in mice". eLife. 10: e69909. doi:10.7554/eLife.69909. ISSN 2050-084X. PMC 8631797. PMID 34787078.
  3. ^ Wang, Zan; Zhong, Yu-Heng; Jiang, Shan; Qu, Wei-Min; Huang, Zhi-Li; Chen, Chang-Rui (2022-03-14). "Case Report: Dysfunction of the Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus Area Induces Hypersomnia in Patients". Frontiers in Neuroscience. 16. doi:10.3389/fnins.2022.830474. ISSN 1662-453X. PMC 8964012. PMID 35360167.
  4. ^ Fox SI (2011). Human Physiology (Twelfth ed.). McGraw Hill. p. 665.
  5. ^ Chen, Chang-Rui; Zhong, Yu-Heng; Jiang, Shan; Xu, Wei; Xiao, Lei; Wang, Zan; Qu, Wei-Min; Huang, Zhi-Li (2021-11-17). Elmquist, Joel K; Wong, Ma-Li; Lazarus, Michael (eds.). "Dysfunctions of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus induce hypersomnia in mice". eLife. 10: e69909. doi:10.7554/eLife.69909. ISSN 2050-084X. PMC 8631797. PMID 34787078.