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Physiological Foundation of Stress01:24

Physiological Foundation of Stress

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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.
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The stress response system, also known as the fight-or-flight response, is the body's automatic physiological reaction to perceived threats. Hans Selye introduced the concept of General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) to describe the predictable pattern of changes that occur in response to stress. GAS consists of three sequential stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. This model helps explain how chronic stress can contribute to health problems.
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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...
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Restraint to Induce Stress in Mice and Rats
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Cortical-brainstem circuitry attenuates physiological stress reactivity.

Sebastian A Pace1, Ema Lukinic1, Tyler Wallace1

  • 1Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA 80523.

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|July 28, 2023
PubMed
Summary

The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) directly influences stress responses in the brainstem. Activating this vmPFC-rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) circuit reduces stress-induced hormone release in rats.

Keywords:
corticosteroneglucoseoptogeneticsprefrontal cortexventrolateral medulla

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Stress Physiology
  • Behavioral Endocrinology

Background:

  • Stressful stimuli trigger biological responses to maintain homeostasis.
  • Catecholaminergic neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) control sympathetic activity and physiological adaptations.
  • The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is implicated in cognitive stress appraisal and physiological stress responses.

Conclusions:

  • A direct vmPFC-RVLM circuit exists and modulates stress endocrine responses.
  • This pathway likely reduces stress reactivity via inhibitory interneurons in the RVLM.
  • The vmPFC-RVLM circuit's excitatory/inhibitory balance may influence stress-related health outcomes.