Endocrinology

Glucocorticoids

Hormones that help cope with stress, including cortisol and corticosterone.

Cortisol

A glucocorticoid hormone that increases glucose levels and decreases immune response.

Corticosterone

Another glucocorticoid hormone involved in stress response.

HPA Axis

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that regulates stress response.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)

Stimulates secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the anterior pituitary.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Stimulates secretion of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones.

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)

Stimulates secretion of growth hormone in the anterior pituitary.

Somatostatin

Growth hormone-inhibitory hormone that inhibits growth hormone secretion.

Prolactin-inhibiting hormone (PIH)

Inhibits secretion of prolactin in anterior pituitary.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

Stimulates secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone in the anterior pituitary.

Growth hormone (GH)

Stimulates body growth, cell multiplication, and differentiation.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

Stimulates secretion of thyroid hormones.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Stimulates development of ovarian follicles and spermatogenesis.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Causes ovulation and stimulates hormone secretion in ovaries and testes.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Stimulates secretion of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex.

Cortisol Receptors

Found in almost every cell and respond to cortisol in the body.

Diurnal Rhythm

Circadian patterns of hormone secretion, including cortisol.

Negative Feedback

Regulatory mechanism where an increase in hormone leads to a reduction in its production.

Stress and Cortisol

Cortisol levels increase in response to stress.

Amygdala

Brain structure that has glucocorticoid receptors and is involved in emotional regulation.

Hippocampus

Brain region affected neurotoxicly by glucocorticoids; involved in memory.

Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)

Region associated with executive functions that is affected by cortisol.

Neurogenesis

The process of neuron formation in the brain, which can be impaired by stress.

Cortisol Sample Collection

Methods to assess cortisol levels using blood, saliva, urine, or hair.

Overnight Cortisol

Cortisol measure that reflects levels over the previous night.

Area Under the Curve (AUC)

Measurement that provides total cortisol concentration over time.

Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR)

Unbound cortisol levels increase significantly within 30 mins of waking.

Cortisol Reactivity & Recovery

Measures how cortisol reacts to stress and recovers post-stress.

Dexemethasone Suppression Test

A test to assess HPA axis feedback using synthetic glucocorticoids.

Pain

An unpleasant sensory experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.

Stress-Induced Analgesia

Natural pain suppression response during exposure to stress or fear.

Cortisol Levels in Chronic Pain

Often elevated in chronic pain patients, signaling a possible connection to pain.

Mitra & Sapolsky (2008)

Study demonstrating the effect of corticosterone on dendrites in the amygdala.

Mitra et al. (2005)

Study that showed stress increases dendritic spines in the amygdala.

Brown et al. (2005)

Study that found corticosterone shortens dendrites in prefrontal cortex neurons.

Seeman et al. (2001)

Study linking greater overnight cortisol with increased health risks.

Lupein & McEwen (1997)

Researchers who studied neurotoxic effects of glucocorticoids on the hippocampus.

Cognitive Deficits

Impaired functions in learning, decision making, and memory retrieval caused by cortisol.

Cortisol and Emotion Regulation

Cortisol affects the brain's ability to manage emotions.

Cortisol Binding Proteins

Proteins like globulin and albumin that transport cortisol in the bloodstream.

Chronic Stress Impact

Continual stress leads to physiological and psychological changes including cortisol release.

Acute Stress Response

Immediate physiological reactions to stress that include cortisol elevation.

Dendritic Growth in Amygdala

Enhanced by acute or chronic exposure to corticosterone.

HPA Axis Components

Consists of hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, and adrenal cortex.

Physiological Stress Response

Activated by threats, characterized by hormonal changes and body reactions.

Cortisol's Role in Memory

Cortisol disrupts and sharpens different aspects of memory.

Cortisol Evaluation Methods

Various ways to measure cortisol activity such as blood sampling and 24-hour urine tests.

Cortisol as a Biomarker

Cortisol levels serve as indicators of stress and health status.

Feedback Inhibition

Process by which the output of a system suppresses its production.

Cortisol's Impact on Neurogenesis

Chronic exposure can reduce the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus.

Enlarged Adrenal Gland

Can occur in response to prolonged stress.

Hormonal Regulation in Stress

Controls physiological processes related to stress responses.

Adrenal Cortex Functions

Secretes glucocorticoids and other hormones under HPA axis regulation.

Hormonal Imbalance Signs

Symptoms that can signify elevated cortisol levels due to stress.