Neuroendocrinology Glossary

The major urinary metabolite of serotonin used as a biomarker for carcinoid tumors and syndrome.

The anterior portion of the pituitary gland that synthesizes and secretes multiple hormones.

Adrenal mass discovered incidentally on imaging performed for unrelated clinical indications.

Enlargement of chromaffin tissue in the adrenal medulla, often associated with hereditary pheochromocytoma syndromes.

A hypothalamic neuropeptide that acts as an orexigenic (appetite-stimulating) signal and melanocortin receptor antagonis...

Amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation cells; specialized neuroendocrine cells that concentrate and process amine pr...

A hypothalamic region containing neurons that produce appetite-regulating hormones and growth hormone-releasing factor.

A paraneoplastic syndrome caused by excessive serotonin and other vasoactive substances released by neuroendocrine tumor...

Class of hormones including epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine derived from tyrosine.

Specialized neuroendocrine cells in the adrenal medulla that secrete catecholamines.

A glycoprotein marker used to identify neuroendocrine cells and tumors in clinical specimens.

Serum biomarker measurement used to detect, monitor, and assess treatment response in neuroendocrine tumors.

A secretory protein found in neuroendocrine cells, used as a biomarker for neuroendocrine tumors.

Histochemical technique using chromogranin antibodies to identify and characterize neuroendocrine cells and tumors.

Endogenous biological cycles of approximately 24 hours that regulate physiological processes and hormone secretion.

Specialized brain regions lacking a complete blood-brain barrier that allow direct communication between the central ner...

Specialized cells in the anterior pituitary that synthesize and secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and related p...

A pituitary tumor secreting excess ACTH, causing Cushing's disease through chronic hypercortisolism.

Hypothalamic peptide hormone that stimulates ACTH release from the anterior pituitary as part of the stress response.

Disorder characterized by excessive urination and thirst due to deficient or ineffective vasopressin.

Cushing syndrome caused by excessive ACTH secretion from non-pituitary neuroendocrine tumors.

Clinical condition caused by inappropriate hormone secretion from non-endocrine tumors or tissues outside normal endocri...

Specialized neuroendocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract that produce serotonin and other regulatory peptides.

Neuroendocrine neoplasm that produces and secretes hormones or bioactive substances causing clinical symptoms.