Stress and Affective Disorders: Animal Models Elucidating the Molecular Basis of Neuroendocrine-Behavior Interactions

摘要: Profound dysfunctions in several neuroendocrine systems have been described patients suffering from affective disorders such as major depression. In order to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these functional alterations, animal models including mice genetically modified by either direct gene-targeting or selective breeding approaches used exceedingly, revealing valuable insights into pathways conserved between rodents and men. This review focuses on altered function regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, its involvement emotionality stress responsiveness. this context, corticotropin-releasing hormone system disturbances glucocorticoid receptor signaling seem be central importance. However, changes expression release patterns vasopressin, dopamine serotonin also shown contribute variation emotionality, coping, cognitive functions social behaviors. Affective show a high degree complexity, involving multitude molecular, neuroendocrine, behavioral alterations well an intense gene-environment interaction, making it difficult dissociate primary causes secondary consequences disease. Thus, interdisciplinary research, applied emerging field biology, adequate combined methodologies can significantly our understanding regarding transmission genetic predispositions clinically relevant endophenotypes. It is only with deep insight which are regulated that novel treatment strategies promising targets for therapeutic interventions developed future. Such in-depth ultimately essential realizing goal predictive, preventive, personalized medicine.