The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in anxiety and panic
AUTOR(ES)
Graeff, Frederico Guilherme, Zangrossi Junior, Hélio
FONTE
Psychology & Neuroscience
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO
2010-06
RESUMO
This review article focuses on the differential activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in generalized anxiety and panic. The results of experimental studies that assayed adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol and prolactin show that real-life panic attacks as well as those induced by selective panicogenic agents, such as lactate and carbon dioxide, do not activate the HPA axis. Accordingly, experiments carried out in two animal models of panic, namely electrical stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter of the rat and the escape from the open arm of the elevated T maze, have shown that in neither case stress hormones are increased in the plasma. Also in humans, reported results have shown that neither cortisol nor prolactin levels were increased following simulated public speaking, an experimental task that has been related to panic, in either healthy volunteers or patients with panic disorder diagnosis. Therefore, although the panic attack causes a major sympathetic stimulation, it has little effect on the HPA axis. In contrast, anticipatory or generalized anxiety activates both the HPA and the sympatho-adrenal axes.
Documentos Relacionados
- Does the panic attack activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis?
- Implication of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in the physiopathology of depression
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression after repeated intra-articular steroid injections.
- Psoriasis severity and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function: results from the CALIPSO study
- Excess corticotropin releasing hormone-binding protein in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in transgenic mice.