The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in anxiety and panic



Título del documento: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in anxiety and panic
Revista: Psychology & neuroscience
Base de datos: CLASE
Número de sistema: 000322714
ISSN: 1983-3288
Autores: 1
Instituciones: 1Universidade de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo. Brasil
Año:
Volumen: 3
Número: 1
Paginación: 3-8
País: Brasil
Idioma: Inglés
Tipo de documento: Artículo
Enfoque: Analítico
Resumen en inglés 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
Disciplinas: Psicología,
Medicina
Palabras clave: Psicofisiología,
Neurofisiología,
Hormonas,
Trastorno de ansiedad generalizada,
Pánico,
Hipotálamo,
Estrés,
Pituitaria,
Adrenalina
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