Structural and functional connections between the autonomic nervous system, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, and the immune system: a context and time dependent stress response network

Author(s):  
Bridget Mueller ◽  
Alex Figueroa ◽  
Jessica Robinson-Papp
2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
L M Romero ◽  
B M G Gormally

Abstract The vertebrate stress response is considered to be a highly conserved suite of responses that are evolved to help animals survive noxious environmental stimuli. The two major pathways of the stress response include the catecholamine release that is part of the autonomic nervous system and comprises the immediate fight-or-flight response, and the slower release of corticosteroids from the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis that help orchestrate longer-term responses. These two pathways are present in every vertebrate yet examined, and the anatomical and physiological architecture underlying these pathways are consistent. Despite these structural similarities, however, recent data indicate substantial temporal and species variation in the actual regulation of these pathways. For example, activation of both pathways varies seasonally in some species but not others, and responses of both pathways can be extensively modulated by an individual’s previous experience. Consequently, even though the anatomy of the stress response is highly conserved, the activation and functional output is not highly conserved. Given this variation, it is perhaps not surprising that it is proving difficult to correlate individual stress responses with differences in fitness outcomes. This review summarizes the challenge of making broad generalized assumptions about fitness consequences of the stress response given the functional variation we observe.


Folia Medica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 233-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria T. Tananska

Abstract Salivary α-amylase (sAA) and chromogranin A (sCgA) are at the forefront of current biochemical research on anxiety. Their use is being driven by the sudden surge of interest in “salivaomics,” a new field in medicine studying saliva’s genetic code, proteome and methabolom. Interestingly, it is not the primary functions of the enzyme and the protein, but the ingenious capture of their secondary ones (maintenance of the acid-alkaline balance and bactericidal / antifungal action) that allows for a swift, precise and pain-free measurement under physical and mental duress. Upon stimulation, sAA and sCgA are almost simultaneously released. Studying them allows a closer look at the autonomic nervous system (ANS) as opposed to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), which involves a long cascade of complex, hard to measure and interpret bio-chemical reactions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. e12717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosana Torrezan ◽  
Ananda Malta ◽  
Willian do Nascimento Rodrigues ◽  
Annie Araújo Alves dos Santos ◽  
Rosiane Aparecida Miranda ◽  
...  

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