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Functional subsets of
serotonergic neurones: implications for control of the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Lowry
CA.
University Research Centre for Neuroendocrinology,
University of Bristol, UK. c.a.lowry@bristol.ac.uk
Serotonergic
systems play an important role in the regulation of behavioural,
autonomic and endocrine responses to stressful stimuli. This includes
modulation of both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the
hypothalamic-spinal-adrenal (HSA) axis, which converge at the level of
the adrenal cortex to regulate glucocorticoid secretion. Paradoxically,
serotonin can either facilitate or inhibit HPA axis activity and
stress-related physiological or behavioural responses. A detailed
analysis of the brainstem raphe complex and its ascending projections
reveals that facilitatory and inhibitory effects of serotonergic systems
on glucocorticoid secretion may be due to influences of topographically
organized and functionally diverse serotonergic systems. (i) A
serotonergic system arising from the middle and caudal dorsal raphe
nucleus and projecting to a distributed central autonomic control system
and a lateral 'emotional motor system'. Evidence suggests that serotonin
can sensitize this subcortical circuit associated with autonomic
arousal, anxiety and conditioned fear. (ii) A serotonergic system
arising from the median raphe nucleus and projecting extensively and
selectively to a ventral subiculum projection system. Evidence suggests
that serotonin facilitates this limbic circuit associated with
inhibition of ultradian, circadian and stress-induced activity of both
the HPA axis and the HSA axis. These new perspectives, based on
functional anatomical considerations, provide a hypothetical framework
for investigating the role of serotonergic systems in the modulation of
ultradian, circadian and stress-induced neuroendocrine
function.
Publication Types:
PMID: 12421345 [PubMed - indexed for
MEDLINE]
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