(Formerly IFCN-2)

[NNB Roster]

The Neuroendocrinology, Neuroimmunology and Behavior [NNB] Study Section is concerned with the neurobiological basis of behavior across the life span, with a focus on neuroendocrine, neuropeptide, and neuroimmune systems. NNB primarily considers research with non-human animals [vertebrates and invertebrates], but relevant work with humans is also included. Both normal and disordered processes are addressed. Major areas of interest include sexual behavior, including courtship, pair bonding, and parental behavior; ingestive behaviors; drugs of abuse; stress; and interactions of the brain with immune systems. Studies typically use behavioral, physiological, pharmacological, anatomical, and developmental approaches, but may also include molecular, cellular, or genetic approaches.

Specific areas covered by NNB:

• Reproductive behaviors and sexual differentiation; neurobiological variables, including neuroendocrine, neurotransmitter, genetic, and developmental factors, underlying modulation of or resulting from reproductive behavior, including social affiliation, mate choice and pair-bonding, courtship, sexual behavior, and parenting behaviors
  
  
• Neuroendocrine regulation of feeding and drinking; hormones, neuropeptides, and neurotransmitters and their receptors regulating consummatory behaviors; anatomical and neuroendocrine efferents regulating consummatory behaviors and energy balance; effects of drugs, stressors and environmental factors on this regulatory axis
  
  
• Stress; neurobiological mediators, including the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal [HPA] Axis, of environmental stimulation including stressors; interaction of stress and drug effects; neuroanatomical, genetic, metabolic, and pharmacological and hormonal basis for such mediation; and receptors and ligands that mediate these effects; studies of sequelae of maternal deprivation or social isolation
  
  
• Interactions between the brain and the immune system; structural basis and mechanisms mediating functional interactions between brain and immune systems; effects of cytokines and chemokines on the nervous system; effects of manipulations [behavioral, neural, neuropharmacological, stress, etc.] on immune system function; brain mechanisms of fever
  
  
• Neuroendocrine interactions in drug seeking; neuroendocrine responses to or influences on the effects of psychotropic drugs and environmental factors; neuroendocrine influences on drug-taking and addiction
  
  
• Plasticity; development, maturation, and aging of the neuroendocrine and immune systems that regulate brain and behavior, including the plasticity and genesis of these systems
  
  
• Other areas, including: biological basis of behavioral polymorphisms, especially sexual dimorphisms and the biological factors underlying aggression, anxiety, etc. using animal models

NNB has the following shared interests within the IFCN IRG:

• There are shared interests between NMB and NNB in terms of the phenomena [ingestive behaviors, reproductive behavior, etc.] being investigated. Applications focused primarily on the neural mechanisms of behavior, specifically those where there is a greater focus on neuropharmacology of neurotransmitter systems and/or on elucidating neuroanatomical pathways, are more appropriate for NMB. Applications focused primarily on neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems are more appropriate for NNB.
  
  
• Studies of neuroendocrinological basis of circadian and circannual rhythms in behavior may be reviewed in BRS. Studies of neuroimmunological factors in sleep regulation and of homeostatic temperature regulation could also be reviewed in BRS, whereas studies of neural mechanisms of fever production, such as in infection, are typically reviewed in NNB.
  
  
• Studies of the effect of neurohormones on neurobiological events related to learning and memory are reviewed in LAM. 
  
  
• With NAL with respect to the interaction of alcohol and CNS function. NAL is more appropriate when the primary focus is on alcohol or toxicant pathophysiology, but NNB should be considered if neuroendocrine interactions are involved.

NNB has the following shared interests outside the IFCN IRG:

• With the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes [BBBP] IRG: There is shared interest with the BBBP IRG in the areas of feeding, drinking and other ingestive behaviors, social affiliation, communication, sexual behavior, courtship, parenting, stress, and aggression. Studies in which the primary research focus is behavioral are more appropriate for a BBBP study section, while such studies in the context of neurobiology are more appropriate for NNB.
  
  
• With the Immunology [IMM] IRG: Neuroimmunology, including studies of inflammation and innate immunity in the nervous system, is an area of shared interest.  Studies of neuroendocrine alteration of the immune response are also a shared area.  Applications focusing on nerve function may be assigned to IFCN.  Applications focusing on immune function or altered immune function may be assigned to IMM. 
  
  
• With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS] IRG: Studies of neural and humoral control of cardiac or circulatory function, including neuropeptide control of blood pressure or cardiac response to physiological stress, may be assigned to the CVS IRG.  Applications concerned with the neurobiological basis of behavior with a focus on the role of the neuroendocrine, neuropeptide, and neuroimmune systems in stress, maybe assigned to the NNB Study Section. 
  
  
• With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: NNB has shared interests with the EMNR IRG in the area of neuroendocrinology. NNB generally should be considered when the focus is neural systems and processes underlying behavior, such as sexual behavior, mate choice, aggression, etc. NNB should also be considered for applications dealing with the HPA axis and stress. Studies involving neuroendocrine structures [pituitary, adrenal, hypothalamus] where the focus is primarily on the synthesis, release, and regulation of hormones of the HPA, HPT, or HPG axes, such as studies of LH surge or control of ACTH secretion, should be reviewed in the EMNR IRG.
  
  
• With the Renal and Urological Sciences [RUS] IRG: Applications focusing on the central nervous system dealing with the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying thirst could be assigned to NNB. Applications focusing on the central nervous system regulation of renal function could be assigned to RUS IRG.