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Receptor Insensitivity

Meaning

Receptor insensitivity is a clinical state defined by a diminished or inadequate biological response in target cells despite the presence of normal or even pathologically elevated concentrations of the signaling hormone or ligand. This phenomenon is a functional form of receptor dysregulation where the receptor is structurally present but functionally less responsive, often due to a reduction in receptor density, a defect in post-receptor signaling, or chronic overstimulation. Insulin resistance, a central feature of metabolic syndrome, is the most clinically prevalent example of this endocrine failure.