title: Stress Response, Brain Noradrenergic System and Cognition.
abstract: Locus coeruleus is a critical component of the brain noradrenergic system. The brain noradrenergic system provides the neural substrate for the architecture supporting the interaction with, and navigation through, an external world complexity. Changes in locus coeruleus tonic and phasic activity and the interplay between norepinephrine and α1- and α2-adrenoceptors in the prefrontal cortex are the key elements of this sophisticated architecture. In this narrative review we discuss how the brain noradrenergic system is affected by increased exposure to corticotropin-releasing hormone triggered by stress response. In particular, we present the mechanisms responsible for thinking inflexibility often observed under highly stressful conditions. Finally, the main directions for future research are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 15 Tuwima Street, 80-210, Gdansk, Poland. pawelwinklewski@wp.pl.|Institute of Health Sciences, Pomeranian University of Slupsk, Slupsk, Poland. pawelwinklewski@wp.pl.
authors.forename: Pawel J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Winklewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Radkowski
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wszedybyl-Winklewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Clinical Immunology of Developmental Age, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Urszula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Demkow
mesh_terms: D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D009638:Norepinephrine
keywords: Brain Noradrenergic System; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Locus Coeruleus; Mental Function; Stress Response