What is the Origin of Neuroendocrine Response to Stress?

This concept is a fundamental, time-tested principle of stress physiology, famously described by Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome, and continuously refined by modern understanding of the molecular communication between the brain and the adrenal glands. It serves as the essential physiological model explaining the intricate, bidirectional link between the mind and the body's hormonal output.

What is the Mechanism of Neuroendocrine Response to Stress?

The stressor first triggers the hypothalamus to release corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH then signals the adrenal cortex to synthesize and release cortisol and other catecholamines, which act systemically to elevate heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose. This intricate hormonal release mechanism prepares the organism for immediate survival and illustrates the profound physical impact of psychological or environmental demands.

Neuroendocrine Response to Stress ∞ Area

Neuroendocrine Response to Stress

Meaning

Neuroendocrine Response to Stress is the highly conserved physiological cascade initiated by the central nervous system in response to a perceived or actual physical or psychological stressor, involving the rapid, sequential release of neurotransmitters and hormones that mobilize the body’s resources for immediate action. This complex process is primarily mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system, dictating the body’s capacity to adapt to environmental demands. It is the core of allostasis.