Document Detail


Resetting the dynamic range of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stress responses through pregnancy.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20819122     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a key role in the neuroendocrine response to stress. Dynamic changes in HPA axis regulation and hence HPA responsivity occur over the lifetime of an animal. This article focuses on two extremes of the spectrum. The first occurs naturally during pregnancy when stress responses are dampened. The second, at the opposite end of the scale, occurs in offspring of mothers who were exposed to stress during pregnancy and display exaggerated HPA axis stress responses. Reduced glucocorticoid output in response to stress in pregnancy may have important consequences for conserving energy supply to the foetus(es), in modulating immune system adaptations and in protecting against adverse foetal programming by glucocorticoids. Understanding the mechanisms underpinning this adaptation in pregnancy may provide insights for manipulating HPA axis responsiveness in later life, particularly in the context of resetting HPA axis hyperactivity associated with prenatal stress exposure, which may underlie several major pathologies, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, obesity, cognitive decline and mood disorders.
Authors:
P J Brunton
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of neuroendocrinology     Volume:  22     ISSN:  1365-2826     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Neuroendocrinol.     Publication Date:  2010 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-10-29     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8913461     Medline TA:  J Neuroendocrinol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1198-213     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
© 2010 The Authors. Journal of Neuroendocrinology © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Affiliation:
Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. p.j.brunton@ed.ac.uk
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Descriptor/Qualifier:
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

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