Neuronal actions of glucocorticoids: focus on depression

J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2008 Feb;108(3-5):300-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2007.09.014. Epub 2007 Sep 8.

Abstract

Stress, acting through glucocorticoids (GC), has profound effects on brain physiology and pathology and is causally implicated in depressive illness. Here, we consider the information derived from genetic models generated to probe the role of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in depression. This essay also briefly reviews the status of knowledge regarding GC actions on neuronal birth, survival and death from the perspective of the importance of these phenomena in depression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / physiology
  • Depressive Disorder / physiopathology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Glucocorticoids / physiology*
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Hippocampus / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / drug effects
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / drug effects
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / physiology*
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone