Stress and central autonomic network

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Autonomic Nervous System
• Stress Physiology

Background:

• The central autonomic network (CAN) is crucial for managing the body's response to physiological and psychosocial stressors.
• Understanding the CAN's intricate network is vital for comprehending stress-related disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• This review elucidates the roles of specific CAN areas in mediating the stress response.
• To detail the interconnectedness of CAN regions and their influence on autonomic output.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on the central autonomic network and stress response.
• Analysis of the functions of key CAN components: insular cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, extended amygdala, hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray, and locus coeruleus.

Main Results:

• The insula integrates bodily states, while the anterior cingulate generates visceromotor commands.
• The amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis trigger survival responses.
• Hypothalamic nuclei, periaqueductal gray, locus coeruleus, and brainstem nuclei differentially modulate autonomic, emotional, and motor outputs based on stressor type.

Conclusions:

• The CAN comprises interconnected regions that orchestrate complex autonomic, emotional, and behavioral responses to diverse stressors.
• Specific CAN nuclei exhibit specialized roles in processing internal and external challenges, influencing sympathetic and parasympathetic outflow.