title: A synaptocentric view of the neuroendocrine response to stress.
abstract: The essential role of parvocellular neuroendocrine cells (PNCs) in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) is to translate real or perceived challenges into a comprehensive glucocorticoid (GC) hormone response. Synaptic inputs encoding physical and psychological stress engage the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) by increasing PNC activity, and corticotropin-releasing hormone production and release. Following robust recruitment in response to stress, GCs feedback to dampen PNC responses. Here we review the contributions of glutamate and GABA synapses in PVN to the initiation and termination of the stress response. The reliability of HPA responses to a given stress can vary as a function of prior experience. Within this context, we examine possible synaptic correlates that allow this neuroendocrine system to learn and adapt following stress challenges.
authors.affiliation: Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AL, T2N 4N1 Canada.
authors.forename: Jaclyn I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Wamsteeker
authors.forename: Jaideep S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bains
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D010286:Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid