THE NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY OF THE ADRENAL-CORTEX

Although until relatively recently assumed to be devoid of innervation, there is now ample proof that the adrenal cortex receives specific neurones of several types. A general interpretation of their roles in the regulation of adrenocortical function has not been forthcoming, probably because of the variety of the different experimental approaches which have been used, and the heterogeneous observations which have been made. We here summarize the evidence which is available, and offer the view that neural inputs may provide fine tuning of the responses to systemic factors such as ACTH, through direct actions on specific adrenocortical cells. However, neural regulation also provides an integrative function, through actions on the flow of blood through the gland, which itself exerts a powerful influence on adrenocortical function. Copyright © 1994, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved