Neuroendocrine aspects of PTSD.
This chapter discussed how neuroendocrine findings in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) potentially inform hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) alterations in PTSD and highlight alterations relevant to the identification of targets for drug development. Most studies demonstrate alterations consistent with an enhanced negative feedback inhibition of cortisol on the pituitary, an overall hyperreactivity of other target tissues (adrenal gland, hypothalamus), or both in PTSD. However, findings of low cortisol and increased reactivity of the pituitary in PTSD are also consistent with reduced adrenal output. The observations in PTSD are part of a growing body of neuroendocrine data providing evidence of insufficient glucocorticoid signaling in stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders.
Yehuda
R
R
Psychiatry Department and Division of Traumatic Stress Studies, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Bronx Veterans Affairs, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx NY, 10468, USA. Rachel.yehuda@med.va.gov
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000502:physiology; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000502:physiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones; D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone