Temporal control of glucocorticoid neurodynamics and its relevance for brain homeostasis, neuropathology and glucocorticoid-based therapeutics

Kalafatakis, K., Russell, G. M., Zarros, A. and Lightman, S. L. (2016) Temporal control of glucocorticoid neurodynamics and its relevance for brain homeostasis, neuropathology and glucocorticoid-based therapeutics. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 61, pp. 12-25. (doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.11.009) (PMID:26656793)

Abstract

Glucocorticoids mediate plethora of actions throughout the human body. Within the brain, they modulate aspects of immune system and neuroinflammatory processes, interfere with cellular metabolism and viability, interact with systems of neurotransmission and regulate neural rhythms. The influence of glucocorticoids on memory and emotional behaviour is well known and there is increasing evidence for their involvement in many neuropsychiatric pathologies. These effects, which at times can be in opposing directions, depend not only on the concentration of glucocorticoids but also the duration of their presence, the temporal relationship between their fluctuations, the co-influence of other stimuli, and the overall state of brain activity. Moreover, they are region- and cell type-specific. The molecular basis of such diversity of effects lies on the orchestration of the spatiotemporal interplay between glucocorticoid- and mineralocorticoid receptors, and is achieved through complex dynamics, mainly mediated via the circadian and ultradian pattern of glucocorticoid secretion. More sophisticated methodologies are therefore required to better approach the study of these hormones and improve the effectiveness of glucocorticoid-based therapeutics.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Zarros, Dr Apostolos
• Authors: Kalafatakis, K., Russell, G. M., Zarros, A., and Lightman, S. L.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RB Pathology; R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry; R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0149-7634
• ISSN (Online): 1873-7528
• Published Online: 03 December 2015
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 61: 12-25
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy