Hormones
are powerful, complex chemicals that are normally produced
by the endocrine system (pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands,
pancreas, ovaries and testes, etc.) and transported through
the bloodstream to stimulate or inhibit metabolism in target
glands or organs. Some hormones like epinephrine
have powerful effects throughout the body; others have their
effects on a specific brain region or organ. Hormones continuously
interact in a complicated feedback cycle; if this cycle is
disrupted, the level of hormones may rise or drop from normal
levels, causing altered metabolism.
by Catherine E. Myers. Copyright © 2006 Memory Loss and the Brain |