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Central Nervous System Arousal

Meaning

Central Nervous System (CNS) arousal is a critical physiological state characterized by a generalized, heightened responsiveness and increased vigilance, which is fundamentally mediated by the reticular activating system located in the brainstem. This state is essential for maintaining attention, facilitating rapid sensory processing, and enabling the prompt initiation of goal-directed behavioral responses. Endogenous hormonal factors, including glucocorticoids like cortisol and various neuropeptides, exert significant modulatory control over both the intensity and the quality of this complex arousal state.