Neural regulation of endocrine and autonomic stress responses

The physiological response to stress is regulated by a complex neurocircuitry that integrates and interprets stress-related and homeostatic information. Ulrich-Lai and Herman describe this circuitry, including its adaptation to chronic stress and its overlap with circuits that underlie memory and reward. The survival and well-being of all species requires appropriate physiological responses to environmental and homeostatic challenges. The re-establishment and maintenance of homeostasis entails the coordinated activation and control of neuroendocrine and autonomic stress systems. These collective stress responses are mediated by largely overlapping circuits in the limbic forebrain, the hypothalamus and the brainstem, so that the respective contributions of the neuroendocrine and autonomic systems are tuned in accordance with stressor modality and intensity. Limbic regions that are responsible for regulating stress responses intersect with circuits that are responsible for memory and reward, providing a means to tailor the stress response with respect to prior experience and anticipated outcomes.