The neurobiology of stress

The neuroendocrine stress response is regulated by the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system. The corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-secreting neurons are located in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus which  integrate stress information from other areas of the central nervous system and are able to trigger the appropriate hormonal stress response. However, during stress, autonomic functions, metabolism, immune processes and behaviour are also altered. The aim of our research is to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms and neuronal networks that coordinate elements of the stress response and to reveal the role of neurons expressing CRH in stress integration outside of the hypothalamus.

 

 

Our team has shown that CRH neurons in the CNS and paraventricular nucleus are activated in a stressor-specific manner.

Metabolic regulation is altered in different ways in response to acute, chronic repetitive and chronic variable stress, which can be associated with stress-related metabolic diseases (obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetes) and psychological abnormalities (anxiety, depression).

 

CRH PVN neurons are responsible for the increase in energy consumption and locomotor activity in response to acute stress.

 

Leptin, as a hormone released from adipose tissue, coordinates sympathetic tone enhancement via urocortin neurons, which project from the Edinger Westphal nucleus to the adipose tissue.

 

Hypothalamic microglial cells are involved in the regulation of hypoglycaemia-induced stress response.

 

Microglial fractalkine signaling influences stress coping strategy.

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