This is the only book entirely devoted to the sensory circumventricular organs. It reviews research into their detailed anatomy, neurochemistry, neural connections, and functions, and provides the reader with many illustrations previously unpublished.

1 Introduction

2 Location, General Structure and Ependymal Cells of Sensory Circumventricular Organs
2.1 Subfornical Organ
2.2 OVLT
2.3 Area Postrema
3 Regional Subdivisions Within Sensory Circumventricular Organs
3.1 Subfornical Organ
3.2 OVLT
3.3 Area Postrema
4 Vasculature, Compartmental Barriers, Neurons and Glia in the Sensory Circumventricular Organs
4.1 Subfornical Organ
4.2 OVLT
4.3 Area Postrema
5 Neurochemical Aspects of Sensory Circumventricular Organs
5.1 Receptors
5.2 Neurotransmitters, Neuropeptides, Hormones and Enzymes
6 The Neural Connections of the Sensory Circumventricular Organs
6.1 Subfornical Organ
6.2 Neural Connections of the OVLT
6.3 Area Postrema
7 Immediate-Early Gene Expression in Sensory Circumventricular Organs
7.1 Angiotensin II
7.2 Baroreceptor Activation
7.3 Carbachol
7.4 Anorectic Peptides - Cholecystokinin, GLP-1 and Amylin
7.5 Hypertonicity
7.6 Lipopolysaccharide (Endotoxin)
7.7 Relaxin
7.8 Vomiting and Emetic Stimuli
8 Functions of the Sensory Circumventricular Organs
8.1 Osmoregulation
8.2 Central Actions of Circulating Angiotensin
8.3 Influences on Arterial Pressure
8.4 Area Postrema and Vomiting
8.5 Neuroimmune Responses and Fever
8.6 Concluding Remarks.