Editing Hypothalamus (section)

====Blood-borne stimuli====
[[Peptide]] hormones have important influences upon the hypothalamus, and to do so they must pass through the [[blood–brain barrier]]. The hypothalamus is bounded in part by specialized brain regions that lack an effective blood–brain barrier; the [[Capillary#Types|capillary]] [[endothelium]] at these sites is fenestrated to allow free passage of even large proteins and other molecules. Some of these sites are the sites of neurosecretion - the [[neurohypophysis]] and the [[median eminence]]. However, others are sites at which the brain samples the composition of the blood. Two of these sites, the SFO ([[subfornical organ]]) and the OVLT ([[organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis]]) are so-called [[circumventricular organs]], where neurons are in intimate contact with both blood and [[Cerebrospinal fluid|CSF]]. These structures are densely vascularized, and contain osmoreceptive and sodium-receptive neurons that control [[drinking]], [[vasopressin]] release, sodium excretion, and sodium appetite. They also contain neurons with receptors for [[angiotensin]], [[atrial natriuretic factor]], [[endothelin]] and [[relaxin]], each of which important in the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance. Neurons in the OVLT and SFO project to the [[supraoptic nucleus]] and [[paraventricular nucleus]], and also to preoptic hypothalamic areas. The circumventricular organs may also be the site of action of [[interleukins]] to elicit both fever and ACTH secretion, via effects on paraventricular neurons.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}}

It is not clear how all peptides that influence hypothalamic activity gain the necessary access. In the case of [[prolactin]] and [[leptin]], there is evidence of active uptake at the [[choroid plexus]] from the blood into the [[cerebrospinal fluid]] (CSF). Some pituitary hormones have a negative feedback influence upon hypothalamic secretion; for example, [[growth hormone]] feeds back on the hypothalamus, but how it enters the brain is not clear. There is also evidence for central actions of [[prolactin]].{{citation needed|date=February 2013}}

Findings have suggested that [[thyroid hormone]] (T4) is taken up by the hypothalamic [[glial cells]] in the [[infundibular nucleus]]/ [[median eminence]], and that it is here converted into [[Triiodothyronine|T3]] by the type 2 deiodinase (D2). Subsequent to this, T3 is transported into the [[thyrotropin-releasing hormone]] ([[TRH]])-producing [[neurons]] in the [[paraventricular nucleus]]. [[Thyroid hormone receptor]]s have been found in these [[neurons]], indicating that they are indeed sensitive to T3 stimuli. In addition, these neurons expressed [[SLC16A2|MCT8]], a [[thyroid hormone]] transporter, supporting the theory that T3 is transported into them. T3 could then bind to the thyroid hormone receptor in these neurons and affect the production of thyrotropin-releasing hormone, thereby regulating thyroid hormone production.<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Fliers E, Unmehopa UA, Alkemade A|date=June 2006|title=Functional neuroanatomy of thyroid hormone feedback in the human hypothalamus and pituitary gland|journal=Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology|volume=251|issue=1–2|pages=1–8|doi=10.1016/j.mce.2006.03.042|pmid=16707210|s2cid=33268046}}<!--|access-date=7 July 2011--></ref>

The hypothalamus functions as a type of [[thermostat]] for the body.<ref name=Harrisons>{{cite book | author-link = Anthony Fauci | author = Fauci, Anthony | title = Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine | url = https://archive.org/details/harrisonsprincip00asfa | url-access = limited | edition = 17 | publisher = McGraw-Hill Professional | year = 2008 | isbn = 978-0-07-146633-2 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/harrisonsprincip00asfa/page/n155 117]–121 | display-authors = etal }}</ref> It sets a desired body temperature, and stimulates either heat production and retention to raise the blood temperature to a higher setting or sweating and [[vasodilation]] to cool the blood to a lower temperature. All [[fever]]s result from a raised setting in the hypothalamus; elevated body temperatures due to any other cause are classified as [[hyperthermia]].<ref name=Harrisons /> Rarely, direct damage to the hypothalamus, such as from a [[stroke]], will cause a fever; this is sometimes called a ''hypothalamic fever''. However, it is more common for such damage to cause abnormally low body temperatures.<ref name=Harrisons />