Reduced glucocorticoid receptors: consequence or cause of depression?
Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is common in patients with major depression. A recent study demonstrates that reduced expression of the glucocorticoid receptor in mice causes depression-like behaviors and HPA axis dysfunction following stressor exposure. This model offers a novel system for the study of the pathophysiology that underlies depression-like behaviors. It also adds to the growing evidence that implicates glucocorticoid receptor dysfunction in depression.
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 4000 Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Gretchen N
GN
Neigh
Charles B
CB
Nemeroff
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000172:deficiency*
D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid