scholarly journals The evolution of the concept of stress and the framework of the stress system

Cell Stress ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 76-85
Author(s):  
Siyu Lu ◽  
Fang Wei ◽  
Guolin Li
Keyword(s):  
Stress Response ◽  
Stress Level ◽  
Local Stress ◽  
Stress System ◽  
Stress Effect ◽  
Central Concept ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
General Adaptation ◽  
Pituitary Adrenal Axis ◽  
Stressful Stimulus

Stress is a central concept in biology and has now been widely used in psychological, physiological, social, and even environmental fields. However, the concept of stress was cross-utilized to refer to different elements of the stress system including stressful stimulus, stressor, stress response, and stress effect. Here, we summarized the evolution of the concept of stress and the framework of the stress system. We find although the concept of stress is developed from Selye’s “general adaptation syndrome”, it has now expanded and evolved significantly. Stress is now defined as a state of homeostasis being challenged, including both system stress and local stress. A specific stressor may potentially bring about specific local stress, while the intensity of stress beyond a threshold may commonly activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and result in a systematic stress response. The framework of the stress system indicates that stress includes three types: sustress (inadequate stress), eustress (good stress), and distress (bad stress). Both sustress and distress might impair normal physiological functions and even lead to pathological conditions, while eustress might benefit health through hormesis-induced optimization of homeostasis. Therefore, an optimal stress level is essential for building biological shields to guarantee normal life processes.

Aerodynamic and Acoustic Voice Measures Before and After an Acute Public Speaking Stressor

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
pp. 3311-3325
Author(s):  
Brittany L. Perrine ◽  
Ronald C. Scherer
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Public Speaking ◽  
Stress System ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
Response To Stress ◽  
System Activation ◽  
Speaking Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Pituitary Adrenal Axis

Purpose The goal of this study was to determine if differences in stress system activation lead to changes in speaking fundamental frequency, average oral airflow, and estimated subglottal pressure before and after an acute, psychosocial stressor. Method Eighteen vocally healthy adult females experienced the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) to activate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The TSST includes public speaking and performing mental arithmetic in front of an audience. At seven time points, three before the stressor and four after the stressor, the participants produced /pa/ repetitions, read the Rainbow Passage, and provided a saliva sample. Measures included (a) salivary cortisol level, (b) oral airflow, (c) estimated subglottal pressure, and (d) speaking fundamental frequency from the second sentence of the Rainbow Passage. Results Ten of the 18 participants experienced a hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis response to stress as indicated by a 2.5-nmol/L increase in salivary cortisol from before the TSST to after the TSST. Those who experienced a response to stress had a significantly higher speaking fundamental frequency before and immediately after the stressor than later after the stressor. No other variable varied significantly due to the stressor. Conclusions This study suggests that the idiosyncratic and inconsistent voice changes reported in the literature may be explained by differences in stress system activation. In addition, laryngeal aerodynamic measures appear resilient to changes due to acute stress. Further work is needed to examine the influence of other stress systems and if these findings hold for dysphonic individuals.

scholarly journals Dream Recall/Affect and the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-408
Author(s):  
Athanasios Tselebis ◽  
Emmanouil Zoumakis ◽  
Ioannis Ilias
Keyword(s):  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Glucocorticoid Receptors ◽  
Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Dream Recall ◽  
Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal ◽  
Adrenal Axis ◽  
Concise Review ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Pituitary Adrenal Axis

In this concise review, we present an overview of research on dream recall/affect and of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, discussing caveats regarding the action of hormones of the HPA axis (mainly cortisol and its free form, cortisol-binding globulin and glucocorticoid receptors). We present results of studies regarding dream recall/affect and the HPA axis under physiological (such as waking) or pathological conditions (such as in Cushing’s syndrome or stressful situations). Finally, we try to integrate the effect of the current COVID-19 situation with dream recall/affect vis-à-vis the HPA axis.

scholarly journals REVISITING THE LIFE STYLE OF THE DON FOREST-STEPPE BELT POPULATION DURING THE SCYTHIAN PERIOD (THE CASE STUDY OF THE KSIZOVO-19 CEMETERY)

2021 ◽  
pp. 129-144
Author(s):  
И. К. Решетова ◽  
М. В. Добровольская ◽  
А. Н. Меркулов
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Stress Level ◽  
Life Style ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Steppe Belt ◽  
Scythian Period ◽  
Very High

В статье рассмотрены палеоантропологические материалы грунтовых захоронений середины I тыс. до н. э., расположенных на территории Верхнего Дона. Находки получены в результате раскопок многослойного памятника Ксизово-19. Работы проводились Раннеславянской археологической экспедицией ИА РАН под руководством А. М. Обломского. Исследование антропологических коллекций проводилось по комплексной биоархеологической программе и позволило осветить ряд вопросов об образе жизни населения этой эпохи. Были проанализированы показатели уровня стрессов и физических нагрузок в рассматриваемой группе. Следует обратить внимание на очень высокий процент присутствия зубных патологий. При сравнении серий из грунтовых погребений и подкурганных захоронений выявлены различия в состоянии зубочелюстной системы и присутствие патологических состояний, фиксируемых на зубах в большей степени в группе из курганов. The paper provides an overview of paleoanthropological remnants from ground burials dating back to the mid I mill. BC located in the Upper Don region. The finds were obtained during excavations of the Ksizovo-19 multi-layer site. The excavations were carried out by the Early Slavic Expedition of the Institute of Archaeology, RAS, led by A. M. Oblomskiy. The study of the anthropological assemblages was performed according to a comprehensive bioarchaeological program. This makes it possible to cover a number of issues regarding the life style of the population at that time. The stress level and physical activity in the studied group were analyzed. A very high percentage of dental pathologies should be noted. Comparison of series from the ground burials and the kurgans burials revealed differences in the conditions of the dentofacial systems and presence of a greater number of pathological conditions of the teeth in the kurgan series.

scholarly journals Stress and Growth in children and adolescents

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Mousikou ◽  
Andreas Kyriakou ◽  
Nicos Skordis
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Stress System ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Conservation Of Energy ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
The Impact

The infantile, childhood, and adolescent periods of growth and development represent times of increased vulnerability to stressors. The rate of growth in each period depends on the interplay of genetic, environmental, dietary, socioeconomic, developmental, behavioral, nutritional, metabolic, biochemical, and hormonal factors. A stressor may have an impact on growth directly through modulation of the growth hormone axis or indirectly through modulation of other factors. The adaptive response to stressors culminates in behavioral, physiological, and biochemical responses, which together support survival and conservation of energy. The process begins within seconds and involves activation of sympathetic nervous system and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis. The time-limited stress response is at once anti-growth, anti-reproductive and catabolic with no lasting adverse consequences. However, chronic activation of the stress system and hypercortisolism have consequential negative impacts on growth, thyroid function, reproduction-puberty, and metabolism. They suppress Growth Hormone-Insulin like growth factor 1, Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal and Thyroid axes and can be responsible for an increase in visceral adiposity, a decrease in lean mass, suppression of osteoblastic activity with risk of osteoporosis, and induction of insulin resistance. Early life adversities, emotional or physical, have been associated with long-term negative physical and mental health outcomes. There are many models of chronic stress that corroborate that early life adversities affect optimal growth and have consequences throughout the lifespan. Targeted interventions to reduce stress during infancy, childhood and adolescence can have far reaching benefits to long-term health as well as attaining adequate growth. In this review we describe the neuroendocrinology of the stress response, the factors influencing growth, and the impact of chronic stress on growth during critical periods of infancy, childhood, and puberty with reference to each of growth, thyroid, and gonadal axis.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in physiological and pathological conditions

2016 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Begni ◽  
Marco Andrea Riva ◽  
Annamaria Cattaneo
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Bdnf Expression ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Wide Range

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that plays a key role in the central nervous system, promoting synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis and neuroprotection. The BDNF gene structure is very complex and consists of multiple 5′-non-coding exons, which give rise to differently spliced transcripts, and one coding exon at the 3′-end. These multiple transcripts, together with the complex transcriptional regulatory machinery, lead to a complex and fine regulation of BDNF expression that can be tissue and stimulus specific. BDNF effects are mainly mediated by the high-affinity, tropomyosin-related, kinase B receptor and involve the activation of several downstream cascades, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase, phospholipase C-γ and phosphoinositide-3-kinase pathways. BDNF exerts a wide range of effects on neuronal function, including the modulation of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis. Importantly, alterations in BDNF expression and function are involved in different brain disorders and represent a major downstream mechanism for stress response, which has important implications in psychiatric diseases, such as major depressive disorders and schizophrenia. In the present review, we have summarized the main features of BDNF in relation to neuronal plasticity, stress response and pathological conditions, and discussed the role of BDNF as a possible target for pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments in the context of psychiatric illnesses.

The Potential Role of a Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor-1 Antagonist in Psychiatric Disorders

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 467-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Stahl ◽  
Dana D. Wise
Keyword(s):  
Stress Response ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Corticotropin Releasing Factor ◽  
Recovering Alcoholic ◽  
Mood And Cognition ◽  
Pituitary Adrenal Axis

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is a key mediator of the stress response in humans. The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) type 1 receptor (CRFR-1) in the pituitary gland is a gatekeeper for that response, and the CRFR-1 receptor is also present in many other mood- and cognition-related neural structures. Behaviorally, a number of relationships between stress and psychiatric disorders can be observed: chronic or repeated stress is associated with onset of depression; stressors can cause a recovering alcoholic to relapse; overactive stress responses mark many anxiety disorders; and insomnia can arise from an overactive stress response. Thus, a CRFR-1 antagonist could be useful for treating or preventing the consequences of CRF-mediated stress in depression, anxiety, insomnia, and substance abuse.

scholarly journals How Truly Conserved Is the “Well-Conserved” Vertebrate Stress Response?

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
L M Romero ◽  
B M G Gormally
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Autonomic Nervous System ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Species Variation ◽  
Functional Variation ◽  
Fitness Consequences ◽  
Fight Or Flight Response ◽  
Pituitary Adrenal Axis ◽  
Functional Output

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.

scholarly journals Plasma Transcortin Influences Endocrine and Behavioral Stress Responses in Mice

Endocrinology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 151 (2) ◽  
pp. 649-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elodie M. Richard ◽  
Jean-Christophe Helbling ◽  
Claudine Tridon ◽  
Aline Desmedt ◽  
Amandine M. Minni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Response ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Learned Helplessness ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Adrenal Axis ◽  
Response To Stress ◽  
Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal Axis ◽  
Deficient Mice ◽  
Pituitary Adrenal Axis

Glucocorticoids are released after hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis stimulation by stress and act both in the periphery and in the brain to bring about adaptive responses that are essential for life. Dysregulation of the stress response can precipitate psychiatric diseases, in particular depression. Recent genetic studies have suggested that the glucocorticoid carrier transcortin, also called corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), may have an important role in stress response. We have investigated the effect of partial or total transcortin deficiency using transcortin knockout mice on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning and regulation as well as on behaviors linked to anxiety and depression traits in animals. We show that CBG deficiency in mice results in markedly reduced total circulating corticosterone at rest and in response to stress. Interestingly, free corticosterone concentrations are normal at rest but present a reduced surge after stress in transcortin-deficient mice. No differences were detected between transcortin-deficient mice for anxiety-related traits. However, transcortin-deficient mice display increased immobility in the forced-swimming test and markedly enhanced learned helplessness after prolonged uncontrollable stress. The latter is associated with an approximately 30% decrease in circulating levels of free corticosterone as well as reduced Egr-1 mRNA expression in hippocampus in CBG-deficient mice. Additionally, transcortin-deficient mice show no sensitization to cocaine-induced locomotor responses, a well described corticosterone-dependent test. Thus, transcortin deficiency leads to insufficient glucocorticoid signaling and altered behavioral responses after stress. These findings uncover the critical role of plasma transcortin in providing an adequate endocrine and behavioral response to stress.

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