The hypothalamus is a vast conglomerate of cell populations, participating in a variety of neural systems essential for survival. These systems include those governing: feeding and drinking; reproduction and sexual function; circadian rhythms and thermoregulation; sleep, wakefulness and arousal; aggressive, defensive and social behaviors; the sensing of circulating fuels, nutrients, hormones and toxins; and those controlling neuroendocrine, neuroimmune, metabolic and autonomic functions. Although a role for the hypothalamus in many of these systems has been previously described in various compendia, there have been no such treatments in recent years. For this Frontiers Research Topic, we welcome papers highlighting the role of hypothalamic cells and circuits at the level of neural systems in any species. Articles can be primary reports, short or full-length reviews, technical or methodological treatments, histories of major research efforts, or commentaries from experienced scientists who have made seminal contributions to our understanding of hypothalamic structure and function. In addition, authors may include any of several themes in their articles, including but not limited to: development or aging; neuroanatomy or neurochemistry; neurophysiology or behavior; molecular or cellular biology; mechanisms of learning, memory, reward or reinforcement; neuroinformatics; connectomics; and computational models. In sum, we seek to gather a diverse and eclectic set of studies that provides current and comprehensive coverage of the major structure-function relations of the hypothalamus as they pertain to neural systems.
The hypothalamus is a vast conglomerate of cell populations, participating in a variety of neural systems essential for survival. These systems include those governing: feeding and drinking; reproduction and sexual function; circadian rhythms and thermoregulation; sleep, wakefulness and arousal; aggressive, defensive and social behaviors; the sensing of circulating fuels, nutrients, hormones and toxins; and those controlling neuroendocrine, neuroimmune, metabolic and autonomic functions. Although a role for the hypothalamus in many of these systems has been previously described in various compendia, there have been no such treatments in recent years. For this Frontiers Research Topic, we welcome papers highlighting the role of hypothalamic cells and circuits at the level of neural systems in any species. Articles can be primary reports, short or full-length reviews, technical or methodological treatments, histories of major research efforts, or commentaries from experienced scientists who have made seminal contributions to our understanding of hypothalamic structure and function. In addition, authors may include any of several themes in their articles, including but not limited to: development or aging; neuroanatomy or neurochemistry; neurophysiology or behavior; molecular or cellular biology; mechanisms of learning, memory, reward or reinforcement; neuroinformatics; connectomics; and computational models. In sum, we seek to gather a diverse and eclectic set of studies that provides current and comprehensive coverage of the major structure-function relations of the hypothalamus as they pertain to neural systems.