brain hormone

noun

1
: a hormone that is secreted by neurosecretory cells of the insect brain and that stimulates the prothoracic glands to secrete ecdysone
2
: any of various hormones (such as serotonin) produced in or acting on the vertebrate brain or central nervous system
not usually used technically

Examples of brain hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Roger Guillemin, whose insights about brain hormones broadly helped lead to better ways to fight disease and earned him the 1997 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, died Wednesday in Del Mar. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 The researcher studied the pituitary gland under the late Wylie Vale at Salk which was home to Roger Guillemin, who won a Nobel Prize in 1977 for discoveries that led to research on brain hormones such as somatostatin. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2023 The brain hormone receptors receive the neural signaling from the hormones to release dozens of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins. Maria Williams, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2023 These findings suggest that the balance of brain hormones and bodily response falls within a complicated spectrum that Summers and other researchers are still studying. Tree Meinch, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2023 If this is the case, the immune system would be mistakenly attacking the brain cells which contain this brain hormone, says NINDS. Sarah Fielding, Health.com, 7 Dec. 2021 On the flip side, the production of melatonin, a brain hormone that regulates sleep, is triggered when the body is in darkness. Popular Science, 24 Jan. 2021 The male pill works by blocking those brain hormones, which then lowers testosterone levels and, is expected to shut down sperm production. Jonathan Lapook, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brain hormone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brain hormone was in 1957

Dictionary Entries Near brain hormone

Cite this Entry

“Brain hormone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brain%20hormone. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

brain hormone

noun
: any of various hormones (as serotonin and melatonin) produced in or acting on the vertebrate brain or central nervous system
not usually used technically

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