The Ernst-and-Berta-Scharrer-Prize is endowed by DGE to promote scientific work in the field ofneuroendocrinology. In the historical terms, neuroendocrinology developed as a fringe area of endocrinology and neurology. Ernst and Berta Scharrer's work significantly contributed to making neuroendocrinology an experimental and clinical science. The idea that neurohypophyseal hormones are formed in neurosecretory cells of hypothalamic core was introduced. The concept of the neuroendocrine axis was formulated, and this initiated the identification of neurohumoral signals.