Peripheral Neuroendocrine Interaction

The articles in this publication represent invited contributions to a symposium on Peripheral Neuroendocrine Interaction, held in Basle, Switzerland, on 30 August, 1977. This formed part of the programme of the Fourth European Anatomical Congress. The subject was selected as appropriate for review and discussion in the light of the rapid progress made in this field since the develop­ ment of techniques in the functional and morphological identifica­ tion of peripheral neurons and associated cells with an endocrine or paracrine function. Recent work has demonstrated the functional association between nerve fibres and granule-containing cells that synthesize and secrete biogenic amines and peptides. However, many of these endo- or para­ crine cells are also responsive to other hormonal and relatively simple chemical or physical stimuli, and adjacent nerve fibres may often modify rather than control function. In addition, the products of the endocrine cells may locally influence neuronal function. Since work in disparate regions that present common relationships often reveals common principles, the subjects covered include chro­ maffm cells, small granule cells of the sympathetic nervous system, gut endocrine cells, carotid body, endocrine pancreas and the juxta­ glomerular apparatus of the kidney. R.E. Coupland, Nottingham W.G. Forssmann, Heidelberg v Contents 1 Techniques for Localizing Transmitter Substances and Secretory Granules Cytochemistry and Autoradiography in the Search for Transmitter-Specific Neuronal Pathways J.G. Richards ................................... .