title: Mathematical modeling of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system activity.
abstract: Mathematical modeling has proven to be valuable in understanding of the complex biological systems dynamics. In the present report we have developed an initial model of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system self-regulatory activity. A four-dimensional non-linear differential equation model of the hormone secretion was formulated and used to analyze plasma cortisol levels in humans. The aim of this work was to explore in greater detail the role of this system in normal, homeostatic, conditions, since it is the first and unavoidable step in further understanding of the role of this complex neuroendocrine system in pathophysiological conditions. Neither the underlying mechanisms nor the physiological significance of this system are fully understood yet.
authors.affiliation: Department of Theoretical Physics and Physics of Condensed Matter 020/2, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro. jelic@vin.bg.ac.yu
authors.forename: Smiljana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jelić
authors.forename: Zeljko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cupić
authors.forename: Ljiljana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kolar-Anić
mesh_terms: D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone