Cited by 253Stress Responses and CortisolNeuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeuropeptides and Animal Physiology

60 YEARS OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY: Redefining neuroendocrinology: stress, sex and cognitive and emotional regulation

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McEwen, Bruce S, Gray, Jason D, Nasca, Carla·2015·Journal of Endocrinology

Abstract

The discovery of steroid hormone receptors in brain regions that mediate every aspect of brain function has broadened the definition of ‘neuroendocrinology’ to include the reciprocal communication between the brain and the body via hormonal and neural pathways. The brain is the central organ of stress and adaptation to stress because it perceives and determines what is threatening, as well as the behavioral and physiological responses to the stressor. The adult and developing brain possess remarkable structural and functional plasticity in response to stress, including neuronal replacement, dendritic remodeling, and synapse turnover. Stress causes an imbalance of neural circuitry subserving cognition, decision-making, anxiety and mood that can alter expression of those behaviors and behavioral states. This imbalance, in turn, affects systemic physiology via neuroendocrine, autonomic, immune and metabolic mediators. In the short term, as for increased fearful vigilance and anxiety in a threatening environment, these changes may be adaptive. But, if the danger passes and the behavioral state persists along with the changes in neural circuitry, such maladaptation may need intervention with a combination of pharmacological and behavioral therapies, as is the case for chronic anxiety and depression. There are important sex differences in the brain responses to stressors that are in urgent need of further exploration. Moreover, adverse early-life experience, interacting with alleles of certain genes, produce lasting effects on brain and body over the life-course via epigenetic mechanisms. While prevention is most important, the plasticity of the brain gives hope for therapies that take into consideration brain–body interactions.

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Authors
McEwen, B. S., Gray, J. D., & Nasca, C.
Affiliations
Rockefeller University (US)
Corresponding author
McEwen, Bruce S
Venue
Journal of Endocrinology
Published
2015-05-01
Volume
226
Issue
2
Pages
T67-T83
ISSN
  • 0022-0795 (ISSN-L)
  • 1479-6805
OpenAlex
W2264087504
Cited by
253
References
150
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 9
FWCI
2.72
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Endocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  • Hope for Depression Research Foundation
  • National Institutes of Health (MH41256)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R37MH041256, F32MH102065, R01MH041256)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS007080)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
Keywords
neuroendocrinology, stress, sex differences, steroid hormone receptors, neuroplasticity, anxiety, depression, cognitive regulation, emotion regulation, childhood adversity, epigenetics, gene-environment interaction, brain-body interaction, neuroendocrine pathways
MeSH terms
Brain, Cognition, Emotions, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Sex Characteristics, Stress, Physiological, Stress, Psychological, Epigenesis, Genetic

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