Neuroendocrinology and Stress

Question 1

What affect does long-term stress have

Answer 1

1. Long term stress -> 2. Mal-adaptation -> 3. Psychiatric Illness

Question 2

Name parts of the Neuroencocrine system

Answer 2

• Pineal gland
• Hypothalamus
• Pituitary gland
• Thyroid gland
• Parathyroid glands
• Thymus
• Adrenal glands
• Pancreas
• Ovary/Testis

Question 3

What are hormones responsible for?

Answer 3

-digestion,
-metabolism
-growth and
development
-reproduction maintenance of body temperature
-cognitive function and mood

Question 4

Key features about the Endocrine System and Nervous System

Answer 4

• No sharp distinction between the two systems
• Almost all endocrine secretion are controlled directly or indirectly by the brain
• All hormones influence brain activity

Question 5

Differences and similarities between endocrine system and nervous system

Answer 5

• Both send chemical signal at target cell
• E is wireless while N is wired
• E is slow while N is rapid
• E has a long duration while N has a brief duration
• E has a close or far anatomical proximity while

Question 6

What is Cushings syndrome?

Answer 6

High glucocorticoid secretion from pituitary gland causing depression, irritability and loss of recent memory

Question 7

What role does the HPA axis play in stress and psychiatric disorders?

Answer 7

Function: The HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis regulates the body’s response to stress.

Process: Stress activates the hypothalamus, which releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which in turn triggers the adrenal glands to release cortisol, the stress hormone.

Effects: Chronic stress can dysregulate the HPA axis, leading to prolonged elevation of cortisol levels. This dysregulation is associated with various psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Question 8

what can corticosteroid help with or do?

Answer 8

treat stress associated with illnesses and injuries

Question 9

What effects can chronic stress have on neurplasticity?

Answer 9

causes dendrites to become shorter in total length in CA3. Effect is
reversible within several weeks

Question 10

HPA Axis and Dopamine overactivity

Answer 10

Glucocorticoids increase dopaminergic activity in the mesolimbic system = Psychosis

Question 11

HPA axis activity in psychosis vs depression (awakening and day levels)

Answer 11

Psychosis:
!HIGH Cortisol levels during the day
!LOW Awakening Cortisol
Cortisol response to stress

Depression: HIGH Cortisol levels during the day
HIGH Awakening Cortisol
Cortisol response to stress

Question 12

HPA axis and Inflammation

Answer 12

HPA axis modulates cytokines release = Cytokines alter
monoamine
metabolism, increase
excitotoxicity, and
decrease production
of trophic factors

Question 13

Depression/Psychosis and inflammation association

Answer 13

Increased inflammation found in longitudinal studies

Question 14

What inflammation markes are increased in psychosis?

Answer 14

-TNFα
-CRP,
-IL-6

Question 15

Summarise what stress does on a neurobiological level:

Answer 15

• Stress activates HPA axis and immune system and decreases production of neurotrophic factors

Question 16

How to measure stress?

Answer 16

Sympathetic Nervous System (Es) (heart rate, blood pressure, skin conductance (sweating), and levels of stress hormones like adrenaline)

Parasympathetic Nervous System (Ds) ( assessing heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and other indicators of relaxation response.)