The purpose of this proposal is to seek support for an APS Conference on """"""""The Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus: A Crossroads of Integrative Physiology,"""""""" scheduled for December 5-9, 1998 in San Antonio, Texas. The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) serves as a crossroads of integrative physiology. This discrete hypothalamic area receives neural, humoral and endocrine input regarding the state of the cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems as well as fluid and electrolyte and energy balance. Integration of afferent inputs results in efferent neural or hormonal regulation of specific organ system. This Conference will bring together scientists that study different physiological systems that use a variety of technical approaches ranging from molecular biology to whole animal physiology. The unique aspect of this meeting is the ability of a single topic to attract such a multi- disciplinary representation of technical and scientific expertise. It is hopeful that this interaction will offer a framework of understanding the multiple roles of the PVN and provide a foundation for future interactions and avenues of research. It is also a goal of this meeting to promote the wide-spread participation of young scientists, with an emphasis on women and under-represented minorities through the establishment of travel award program, and to interest new investigators and students in pursuing research opportunities to understand how the PVN integrates afferent information, controls specific physiological functions, and coordinates interactions among organ systems.
