The special relationship: glia–neuron interactions in the neuroendocrine hypothalamus

Key Points The hypothalamus is the single most important integrator of vegetative and endocrine regulation in the body Neuroendocrine secretory neurons establish a permanent dialogue with hypothalamic glial cells to maintain body homeostasis Hypothalamic astrocytes control the extracellular levels of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in the neuroendocrine networks regulating body homeostasis Hypothalamic tanycytes control both neuroendocrine secretions and the access of key peripheral homeostatic signals into the brain The recognition of the clinical relevance of glia–neuron interactions in the hypothalamus might pave the way for the development of new treatment strategies in the central loss of body homeostasis in human syndromes