A regulatory system of the body that integrates the nervous system and the endocrine system. This system is formed by specialized neuroendocrine cells located mainly in the nervous system and neuroendocrine glands. However, they can also be found as either single cells or small clusters of cells dispersed throughout the surface epithelium of different tissues. The neuroendocrine system functions through the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones, enabling communication between the endocrine and nervous systems to govern vitally important processes that include growth, reproduction, metabolism and energy homeostasis, electrolyte and water balance, and responses to stress. [ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17003257 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25905254 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15481802 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/endocrinology doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-375097-6.10001-0 ]