The DOI matches its Crossref record; 120 of the 120 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Ghrelin's role in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stress response: implications for mood disorders
Abstract
Ghrelin is a stomach hormone normally associated with feeding behavior and energy homeostasis. Recent studies highlight that ghrelin targets the brain to regulate a diverse number of functions, including learning, memory, motivation, stress responses, anxiety, and mood. In this review, we discuss recent animal and human studies showing that ghrelin regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and affects anxiety and mood disorders, such as depression and fear. We address the neural sites of action through which ghrelin regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and associated stress-induced behaviors, including the centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus, the hippocampus, amygdala, locus coeruleus, and the ventral tegmental area. Stressors modulate many behaviors associated with motivation, fear, anxiety, depression, and appetite; therefore, we assess the potential role for ghrelin as a stress feedback signal that regulates these associated behaviors. Finally, we briefly discuss important areas for future research that will help us move closer to potential ghrelin-based therapies to treat stress responses and related disorders.
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“However, different stressors, such as social defeat and restraint stress in rodents, can increase long-term ghrelin levels in the stomach [309][310][311].”
From Anxiety, depression, and the microbiome: A role for gut peptides (2018) · cites this paper as [311]
In the citing paper
“Mice lacking endogenous ghrelin have a dampened circulating glucocorticoid response following an acute stressor due a deficit in the PVN response needed to stimulate ACTH from the pituitary [295,311].”
From Anxiety, depression, and the microbiome: A role for gut peptides (2018) · cites this paper as [311]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Spencer, S. J., Emmerzaal, T. L., Kozicz, T., & Andrews, Z. B.
- Affiliations
- RMIT University (AU)
- Radboud University Medical Center (NL)
- Monash University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Andrews, Zane B.
- Venue
- Biological Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-07
- Volume
- 78
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 19-27
- ISSN
- 0006-3223 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1999468851
- Cited by
- 129
- References
- 119
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 8
- FWCI
- 1.32
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Biological Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RMIT Research Repository (RMIT University Library) (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion)
- Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Australian Research Council (ARC) (DP130100508)
- NHMRC (APP1011274)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Keywords
- ghrelin, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, stress response, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, Edinger-Westphal nucleus, hippocampus, amygdala, locus coeruleus, ventral tegmental area, appetite
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Humans, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Stress, Psychological, Mood Disorders, Feedback, Physiological, Ghrelin
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