Alcohol, aging, and the stress response.

摘要: The body responds to stress through a hormone system called the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis. Stimulation of this results in secretion hormones (i.e., glucocorticoids). Chronic excessive glucocorticoid can have adverse health effects, such as Cushing's syndrome. Alcohol intoxication activates HPA axis and elevated levels. Ironically, levels these may contribute alcohol's pleasurable effects. With chronic alcohol consumption, however, tolerance develop axis-activating well exposure, result premature and/or exaggerated aging. Furthermore, aging process affects person's sensitivity function. Thus, three-way interaction exists among activity, process. impair axis' ability adapt exposure. activation or associated with consumption. KEY woRDS: aging; glucocorticoids; hypothalamic-pituitary axis; pituitary-adrenal RODE (effects AOD (alcohol other drug) use, abuse, dependence); hormones; physiological stress; BAC (blood concentration); tolerance; reinforcement; biological adaptation; literature review fact that relieve anxiety is known. Paradoxically, those same intoxisating also induce an important class hormones, glucocorticoids. (For discussion production, see sidebar entitled "Regulation Stress Hormone Production," pp. 276-277.) Yet exposure trigger effects on body's response. For example, research has shown healthy young rats stimulatory secretion-that is, animals respond use by producing smaller increases This effect appears occur humans. Research indicates, aged are much less able than younger rats1 (Spencer McEwen 1997). Nonetheless, researchers do not know whether older humans likewise decreased hormones. Investigators know, both produces symptoms resembling (Noonberg et al. 1985; Seeman Robbins 1994). article examines little-known, relationship secretion, (see figure 1, p. 273). In particular, considers evidence glucocorticoid-based response system, regulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, plays key role psychological responses alcohol. contributes age-related changes (e.g., reduced effects) alcohol-related nerve cell degeneration some brain areas). By highlighting overlap between relationships, spur further complex topic. ALCOHOL'S EFFECTS ON Axis FUNCTION IN YOUNG AND MIDDLE-AGED INDIVIDUALS Alcohol-Induced Extensive documentation indicating consumption reduces while it simultaneously 2, Production"). animals, magnitude duration depend amount consumed 1990; Veldman Meinders 1996). …