Article
Allergy
Wisdom Alemya Akurugu, Carel Jacobus Van Heerden, Nicola Mulder, Ekkehard Werner Zollner
Summary: This study found that some SNPs of the CRHR1 and NR3C1 genes are associated with HPAS in asthmatic children, with the C allele of rs41423247 potentially having a protective effect on HPAS, and the CC genotype being associated with the highest PMTP ACTH response.
PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Giada Ostinelli, Anais Scovronec, Sylvain Iceta, Anne-Sophie Ouellette, Simone Lemieux, Laurent Biertho, Catherine Begin, Andreanne Michaud, Andre Tchernof
Summary: The cortisol awakening response (CAR) and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) are reliable markers of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, with HCC showing a significant positive correlation with adiposity. Inconsistencies in cortisol sampling and CAR computation make comparisons between studies difficult, but overall trait measurement of HCC is associated with increased general and abdominal adiposity in humans.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Felipe Borges Almeida, Graziano Pinna, Helena Maria Tannhauser Barros
Summary: This article discusses the role of the HPA axis under stressful conditions and the importance of allopregnanolone in promoting negative feedback mechanisms to restore homeostasis. Chronic, repeated exposure to stress may lead to dysfunction, contributing to the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Manxiu Ma, Alyssa A. Brunal, Kareem C. Clark, Carleigh Studtmann, Katelyn Stebbins, Shin-ichi Higashijima, Y. Albert Pan
Summary: The expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the hypothalamus plays a critical role in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is involved in the stress response. Through studying zebrafish, researchers identified dscaml1 as an important factor in CRH neuron development and HPA axis function. Mutations in dscaml1 led to increased CRH expression and cell number in hypothalamic CRH neurons, as well as altered stress hormone levels and response to stressors. These findings suggest a role for dscaml1 in stress axis development and its potential contribution to neuropsychiatric disorders.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Raphael Hirtz, Lars Libuda, Anke Hinney, Manuel Foecker, Judith Buehlmeier, Jochen Antel, Paul-Martin Holterhus, Alexandra Kulle, Cordula Kiewert, Johannes Hebebrand, Corinna Grasemann
Summary: In adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD), dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis is common, but the function of these two axes is only loosely related. This differs from findings in adults and suggests age-related maturational adjustments in the regulation of the HPA and HPT axis.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Psychiatry
Felim Murphy, Anurag Nasa, Dearbhla Cullinane, Kesidha Raajakesary, Areej Gazzaz, Vitallia Sooknarine, Madeline Haines, Elena Roman, Linda Kelly, Aisling O'Neill, Mary Cannon, Darren William Roddy
Summary: Studies show that early life stress impacts developmental trajectories and can create vulnerability to psychological and psychiatric issues later in life. The mechanisms affecting the developing brain in children and the incorporation of adverse environmental stimuli into the adult brain are important areas of research focus.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jia Luo, Zheng Yan, Yao Shen, Denong Liu, Mingli Su, Jie Yang, Jiarong Xie, Hui Gao, Julin Yang, Aiming Liu
Summary: This study found that chronic low-intensity noise exposure exacerbated NAFLD in mice on a high-fat diet, affecting lipid metabolism and inflammation levels in the liver. Activation of the HPA axis played a critical role in the development of NAFLD, while depression played an intermediate role in exacerbating the condition.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Hongyuan Zhu, Luming Wu, Tingwei Su, Lei Jiang, Weiwei Zhou, Yiran Jiang, Cui Zhang, Xu Zhong, Weiqing Wang
Summary: This study investigated the association between radiological characteristics of benign adrenocortical tumors and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in 494 patients. It was found that patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) had larger tumor diameter, thinner contralateral adrenal gland, and lower plasma ACTH and serum DHEAS levels compared to those with non-functional adrenocortical tumors (NFAT). ACTH was shown to mediate the effects of MACS on DHEAS and contralateral adrenal gland.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Badruzzaman, Md Shahjahan, Prodip Kumar Roy, Md Taimur Islam
Summary: The study revealed that rotenone exposure led to significant reductions in dopamine, DOPAC, and TH-positive neurons in the Indian freshwater catfish's brain. This was accompanied by decreased movement and feeding behavior, increased mature vitellogenic oocytes in the ovaries, and decreased dopaminergic activity.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Savio Batista, Jose Alberto Almeida, Stefan Koester, Luisa Glioche Gasparri, Lais Silva Santana, Bruno Henrique Dallo Gallo, Lucca B. Palavani, Raphael Bertani, Jose Alberto Landeiro
Summary: This meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) provides evidence that pre-operative steroids (STER) are safe and effective for transsphenoidal pituitary resection in patients with intact hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. Compared to patients who did not receive steroids (NOSTER), those receiving STER had lower rates of transient diabetes insipidus and post-operative hyponatremia.
CLINICAL NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSURGERY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
April M. Booth, Rechelle Viernes, Victoria S. Farrar, Laura Flores, Suzanne H. Austin, Rebecca M. Calisi
Summary: In this study, behaviors and mechanisms associated with the alteration of parental care post-partner removal in a biparental avian species, the rock dove, were investigated. The study found that single parents maintained similar provisioning levels as paired parents but spent less time brooding chicks. The chicks of single parents were smaller than paired-parented chicks. Mothers had higher expression of hypothalamic glucocorticoid receptors (GR) compared to fathers. Single parents also had lower prolactin gene (PRL) expression in the pituitary compared to paired parents.
HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Ramadevi Subramani, Adriana Estrada, Madeline Dixon, Maria Parada, Sheryl Rodriguez, Diego A. Pedroza, Matthew D. Ramirez, Alexa Clift, Lilia Garcia, Rajkumar Lakshmanaswamy
Summary: Early pregnancy reduces the lifetime risk of breast cancer by persistently altering the hypothalamic-pituitary hormonal axis, although the exact physiological mechanisms involved are not clear.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dor Danan, Doron Todder, Joseph Zohar, Hagit Cohen
Summary: Endocannabinoids play a crucial role in response to stress and regulating the release of glucocorticoids, potentially contributing to the development of post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD). Research shows elevated levels of 2-AG in the CSF of PTSD-phenotype rats, inversely correlated with corticosterone levels, and reduced levels of endocannabinoids in the hippocampus and hypothalamus in the PTSD-phenotype group, indicating a potential mechanism for PTSD symptomology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Alexandra Donovan, Ruth Wood
Summary: Testosterone increases response to dopamine D2-like receptor blockade, contributing to observed changes in decision-making behaviors.
BEHAVIOURAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Agorastos Agorastos, Alexandra Heinig, Anne Sommer, Klaus Wiedemann, Cueneyt Demiralay
Summary: This study examined the levels of several endocrine biomarkers in saliva and plasma to investigate the role of salivary DHEA as a significant biomarker of MDD progression and stress resilience. The results showed that recurrent-episode MDD patients had lower saliva DHEA levels compared to antidepressant-free MDD patients without a history of prior depressive episodes.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Virginia Soria, Neus Salvat-Pujol, Antonio Armario, Angel Cabezas, Mikel Etxandi, Jose Antonio Monreal, Mikel Urretavizcaya, Laura Ortega, Roser Nadal, Jose Manuel Crespo, Elisabet Vilella, Diego Jose Palao, Jose Manuel Menchon, Javier Labad
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Sanchis-Olle, Silvia Fuentes, Jesus Obeda-Contreras, Jaume F. Lalanza, Arnau Ramos-Prats, Antonio Armario, Roser Nadal
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Meritxell Tost, Jose Antonio Monreal, Antonio Armario, Juan David Barbero, Jesus Cobo, Clemente Garcia-Rizo, Miquel Bioque, Judith Usall, Elena Huerta-Ramos, Virginia Soria, Pilar Alvarez, Nuria del Cacho, Ana Martin-Blanco, Itziar Montalvo, Maria Portella, Eva Real, Elena Rubio, Javier Labad
CLINICAL DRUG INVESTIGATION
(2020)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Antonio Armario, Javier Labad, Roser Nadal
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tamara Maes, Cristina Mascaro, David Rotllant, Michele Matteo Pio Lufino, Angels Estiarte, Nathalie Guibourt, Fernando Cavalcanti, Christian Grinan-Ferre, Merce Pallas, Roser Nadal, Antonio Armario, Isidro Ferrer, Alberto Ortega, Nuria Valls, Matthew Fyfe, Marc Martinell, Julio Cesar Castro Palomino, Carlos Buesa Arjol
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Roser Nadal, Marina Gabriel-Salazar, Maria Sanchis-Olle, Humberto Gagliano, Xavier Belda, Antonio Armario
Summary: Through experiments on rats, it was found that the neuroendocrine response of individuals to different stressors is more dependent on the similarity in intensity rather than other characteristics, showing correlations between stressors of similar intensity. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the response to another stressor greatly differing in intensity based on the response to a particular stressor.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Antonio Armario
Summary: The forced swim test is a commonly used method for evaluating antidepressant treatments and depression-like states in rodents, but its theoretical and predictive validity have been questioned. The test mainly assesses coping strategies in an inescapable situation, and proper interpretation of the behavior depends on its relationship with other behavioral traits.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Maria Sanchis-Oll, Laura Sanchez-Benito, Silvia Fuentes, Humberto Gagliano, Xavier Belda, Patricia Molina, Javier Carrasco, Roser Nadal, Antonio Armario
Summary: Differences in behavioral and physiological characteristics between rat and mouse strains can explain discrepancies in research results. LongEvans (LE) rats show higher levels of ACTH and corticosterone, as well as a stronger HPA responsiveness to stressors. They exhibit hyperactive behavior in novel environments and are prone to passive-like behavior.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF STRESS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adam Alvarez-Monell, Alex Subias-Gusils, Roger Marine-Casado, Xavier Belda, Humberto Gagliano, Oscar J. Pozo, Noemi Boque, Antoni Caimari, Antonio Armario, Montserrat Solanas, Rosa M. Escorihuela
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of a restricted-cafeteria diet and moderate treadmill exercise on obesity and associated risk factors. It found that both the restricted-cafeteria diet and exercise could reduce abdominal adiposity and hypercholesterolemia, improve locomotor activity and exploratory behavior, but had no significant effect on HPA axis-related parameters.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Maria Sanchis-Olle, Xavier Belda, Humberto Gagliano, Joan Visa, Roser Nadal, Antonio Armario
Summary: A single exposure to some stressors can have long-term consequences similar to those seen in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the findings are often controversial. The single prolonged stress (SPS) model, which involves exposure to different stressors in a sequence, has been widely accepted as an animal model for PTSD. However, there is inconsistent evidence, particularly regarding the effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and it is unclear whether SPS is distinct from models using a single severe stressor. In this study, we compared the behavioral and neuroendocrine (HPA) effects of immobilization on boards (IMO) with a SPS-like model (SPSi) in male rats. Both procedures had similar effects on food intake, body weight, and sensitization of the HPA response to a novel environment. There were also similarities in the reduction of activity/exploration in a hole-board, although SPSi had a greater impact of sudden noise compared to IMO. Neither IMO nor SPSi significantly affected contextual fear conditioning acquisition, but there was a trend towards impaired fear extinction compared to controls. Additional stressors in the SPSi did not interfere with HPA adaptation to IMO. Overall, there were only modest differences between IMO and SPSi in terms of neuroendocrine and behavioral effects, highlighting the need for further studies comparing different PTSD models.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Patricia Molina, Raul Andero, Antonio Armario
Summary: This article discusses the use of restricted movement as a model for inducing stress in laboratory animals, which is widely used in stress-related disorder research. Despite the various methods available, few studies directly compare the differential impact of these protocols. Additionally, there is a lack of standardized language distinguishing between restraint and immobilization terms in the literature. This review provides evidence of physiological differences in the impact of distinct restraint and immobilization procedures in rats and mice, highlighting the need for standardized language and further systematic studies to determine the best methodology for specific research objectives.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
Patricia Molina, Xavier Belda, Silvia Fuentes, Humberto Gagliano, Roser Nadal, Raul Andero, Antonio Armario
JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Xavier Belda, Silvia Fuentes, Javier Labad, Roser Nadal, Antonio Armario
HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
(2020)