The hypothalamic-LC-PFC axis: a new "ace" in the brain for fast-behavioral stress response

>The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a key site for orchestrating responses to acute stress. In this issue of The EMBO Journal, Alpár et al (2018) unveil a novel pathway converting hypothalamic activation into fast enhancement of cortical excitability following acute stress. The route is initiated by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) hypothalamic neurons, triggering the release of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in the brain aqueductal system, which in turns selectively heightens the activity of noradrenergic neurons projecting to the PFC.
Source: EMBO Journal - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Tags: Neuroscience News [amp ] Views Source Type: research