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Published on: May 15, 2019
Glucocorticoids, chronic stress, and obesity
Mary F Dallman1, Norman C Pecoraro, Susanne E La Fleur
1University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0444, USA. mary.dallman@ucsf.edu
Progress in Brain Research
|August 1, 2006
Summary
Glucocorticoids modulate the stress response by activating brain networks, influencing autonomic and behavioral outputs. This system, involving corticotropin-releasing factor, can be dysregulated in modern society.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Stress Physiology
Background:
- Glucocorticoids exhibit dual effects on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, inhibiting or sensitizing stress responses based on timing, concentration, and concurrent stressors.
- Chronic stress with high glucocorticoids activates a central stress-response network, biasing autonomic, neuroendocrine, and behavioral outputs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence for glucocorticoid activation of the central stress-response network.
- To explore the role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in mediating this network.
- To examine glucocorticoid and CRF effects on monoaminergic neurons and associated behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on glucocorticoid and CRF actions in the brain.
- Examination of effects on motor outflows, monoaminergic neurons, and reward pathways in rodents.
- Analysis of behavioral responses, including feeding, in relation to corticosteroid levels.
Main Results:
- Glucocorticoids activate a central stress-response network, mediated by CRF, influencing autonomic and behavioral outputs.
- Corticosteroids stimulate reward pathways, increasing palatable feeding, suggesting a feed-forward action.
- Metabolic feedback, indicated by normalization of deficits with sucrose in adrenalectomized rats, also plays a role.
Conclusions:
- The stress-response network, involving glucocorticoids and CRF, plays a critical role in adapting to chronic stress.
- Dysregulation of this network may contribute to health issues in modern, sedentary lifestyles.
- Both feed-forward and feedback mechanisms involving glucocorticoids and metabolic state are crucial for stress adaptation.
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