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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
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Word History
First Known Use
1957, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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 2 Dec. 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
More from Merriam-Webster on brain hormone
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brain hormone
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