Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Physiological Foundation of Stress01:24

Physiological Foundation of Stress

Stress triggers a coordinated physiological response involving the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This dual activation ensures that the body is prepared for both immediate and prolonged stress management. The process begins with the perception of a stressor. This initial phase activates the SNS, leading to the rapid release of adrenaline (epinephrine) from the adrenal glands.
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
Psychological Responses to Stress01:20

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
The Sympathetic Nervous System01:25

The Sympathetic Nervous System

Overview
Sympathetic Activation01:16

Sympathetic Activation

The sympathetic division can influence tissues and organs by releasing norepinephrine at peripheral synapses and distributing epinephrine and norepinephrine through the bloodstream. In times of crisis or stress, sympathetic activation occurs, which is regulated by sympathetic centers in the hypothalamus. As a result, sympathetic activation prepares the body for physical exertion, rapid ATP production, and heightened alertness, allowing individuals to respond effectively to challenging or...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Connectivity patterns in the DMN that are impacted by traumatic stress.

Research square·2026
Same author

Shared and specific associations of amygdala nuclei volumes with PTSD symptom domains and childhood trauma: An ENIGMA-PGC PTSD mega-analysis.

Molecular psychiatry·2026
Same author

Dissociable Thalamocortical Circuit Disruptions During Contextual Fear Renewal in PTSD.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026
Same author

Context Memory Discrimination and Recognition in Humans: Development of a Novel Cognitive Task.

JMIR formative research·2026
Same author

Resting-State Functional Connectivity of the Amygdala and Hippocampus in PTSD: Results From the PGC-ENIGMA PTSD Working Group.

The American journal of psychiatry·2026
Same author

Neural correlates of implicit emotion processing and regulation in the SEAT paradigm: A meta-analysis of fMRI studies.

Psychiatry research. Neuroimaging·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Localization of the Locus Coeruleus in the Mouse Brain
07:44

Localization of the Locus Coeruleus in the Mouse Brain

Published on: March 7, 2019

Altered locus coeruleus-norepinephrine function following single prolonged stress.

Sophie A George1, Dayan Knox, Andre L Curtis

  • 1University of Michigan, Rachel Upjohn Building, 4250 Plymouth Rd (Box 5765), Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2700, USA. alicegeo@med.umich.edu

The European Journal of Neuroscience
|January 3, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Post-traumatic stress disorder involves norepinephrine system changes. This study reveals altered locus coeruleus (LC) neuron activity and tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA in a rat model, indicating persistent LC dysfunction after trauma.

More Related Videos

Restraint to Induce Stress in Mice and Rats
03:48

Restraint to Induce Stress in Mice and Rats

Published on: December 6, 2024

Assessment of Stress Effects on Cognitive Flexibility using an Operant Strategy Shifting Paradigm
07:26

Assessment of Stress Effects on Cognitive Flexibility using an Operant Strategy Shifting Paradigm

Published on: May 4, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Localization of the Locus Coeruleus in the Mouse Brain
07:44

Localization of the Locus Coeruleus in the Mouse Brain

Published on: March 7, 2019

Restraint to Induce Stress in Mice and Rats
03:48

Restraint to Induce Stress in Mice and Rats

Published on: December 6, 2024

Assessment of Stress Effects on Cognitive Flexibility using an Operant Strategy Shifting Paradigm
07:26

Assessment of Stress Effects on Cognitive Flexibility using an Operant Strategy Shifting Paradigm

Published on: May 4, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Norepinephrine system dysregulation is implicated in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • The locus coeruleus (LC) is the primary forebrain norepinephrine source.
  • Direct measurement of human LC activity is challenging, necessitating animal models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To directly assess LC-norepinephrine function in a rat model of PTSD.
  • To investigate electrophysiological properties and tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels in LC neurons following single prolonged stress (SPS).

Main Methods:

  • Single-unit activity of LC neurons was recorded in SPS and control rats.
  • Spontaneous and evoked neuronal responses to noxious stimuli were measured.
  • Tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels in the LC were quantified at baseline and after restraint stress.

Main Results:

  • SPS rats exhibited reduced spontaneous LC neuronal activity but heightened evoked responses.
  • LC neurons in SPS rats showed an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and impaired post-stimulus inhibition recovery.
  • Tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels were lower at baseline in SPS rats and showed exaggerated induction after stress.

Conclusions:

  • The study demonstrates persistent alterations in LC neuronal function and norepinephrine utilization following stress/trauma in a rat PTSD model.
  • Findings highlight changes in both electrophysiological properties and gene expression within the LC.
  • These results provide direct evidence of LC system dysfunction in PTSD pathophysiology.