title: The dynamics of the stress neuromatrix.
abstract: Stressful stimuli in healthy subjects trigger activation of a consistent and reproducible set of brain regions; yet, the notion that there is a single and constant stress neuromatrix is not sustainable. Indeed, after chronic stress exposure there is activation of many brain regions outside that network. This suggests that there is a distinction between the acute and the chronic stress neuromatrix. Herein, a new working model is proposed to understand the shift between these networks. The understanding of the factors that modulate these networks and their interplay will allow for a more comprehensive and holistic perspective of how the brain shifts 'back and forth' from a healthy to a stressed pattern and, ultimately, how the latter can be a trigger for several neurological and psychiatric conditions.
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.|ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.|Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sousa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000473:pathology*