Corticosteroid effects in the brain: U-shape it.
The existence of U-shaped dose dependencies has been known for a long time. With regard to corticosteroid action in brain cells, a dual receptor system that works in opposing directions can explain the occurrence of a U-shaped dose dependency. However, recent evidence indicates that many cell- and tissue-specific factors (e.g. the local availability of corticosterone, the expression of receptor variants and the cellular content of other proteins and molecules) also determine the effectiveness of the hormone. This could result in dose dependencies with a different shape, despite the local presence of two receptor types.
Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, 1098 SM Amsterdam, The Netherlands. joels@science.uva.nl
Marian
M
Joëls
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D011987:Receptors, Steroid