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Neuronal Stress Response

Meaning

The Neuronal Stress Response describes the rapid, integrated set of biochemical and electrophysiological changes that occur within the central nervous system, particularly the hypothalamus and limbic system, when an organism perceives a threat or faces a significant physiological or psychological challenge. This intricate response is the brain’s initial phase of the overall stress cascade, involving the immediate release of neurotransmitters and the activation of the HPA axis, which ultimately dictates the systemic hormonal response. Its function is to mobilize cognitive and physiological resources to enhance survival and maintain allostasis.