Introduction to the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: Healthy and Dysregulated Stress Responses, Developmental Stress and Neurodegeneration.

Neurohormone systems, which regulate the maintenance of homeostasis and allostasis during stress, are a fundamental subject in the understanding of neuroendocrine function. One neuroendocrine system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), is crucial for stress management. Study of the HPA-axis illustrates a mélange of interactions between different physiological systems to ensure survival, longevity, development and homeostatic maintenance. While some stress is important for healthy development, chronic stress has pathological consequences. It is important that neuroscience students have a robust understanding of the HPA axis and a comprehension of the long-term negative physiological effects of stress. The three papers discussed here provide both an understanding and a greater context of the pervasive effects of chronic stress outside of the typical peripheral physiological responses usually discussed, such as heart and respiration rates. They clarify the effects of stress on the brain and neuroendocrine systems.