Hypothalamic Cell Models

The hypothalamus is a vital and an integral part of the central nervous system as it regulates a wide range of physiological and psychological processes, including energy homeostasis, reproduction, circadian rhythms, as well as emotional and behavioral patterns. Structurally, the hypothalamus is a complex neuroendocrine tissue composed of an array of unique neuronal cell types that express critical neuromodulators required to mediate hypothalamic function. Until recently, the properties of these hypothalamic neurons were challenging to study, primarily because of the heterogeneity and complex neuronal architecture of the neuroendocrine hypothalamus. However, hypothalamic neuronal cell models have proved to be a useful in vitro tool in understanding hypothalamic function and disorders. This chapter discusses the hypothalamic cell models that have been generated to date primarily to study mechanisms underlying the function of individual hypothalamic neurons in order to gain a more complete understanding of the overall physiology and pathology of the hypothalamus.