Citation

McIsaac SA, Westrin, Young AH. Adv. Psychiatr. Treat. 2009; 15(4): 242-249.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

10.1192/apt.bp.105.001834

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Significant evidence has accrued suggesting that the hypothalamic - pituitary - adrenal (HPA) axis plays a role in some psychiatric disorders. This article reviews the physiology of the HPA axis, evidence of dysfunction in this axis in psychiatric illnesses and the role that this dysfunction might play in pharmacological treatment resistance. Future therapeutic strategies that may potentially arise from these researches are briefly outlined.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; depression; posttraumatic stress disorder; review; serotonin; mental disease; hydrocortisone; hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor; corticotropin releasing factor antagonist; hypercortisolism; hypothalamus hypophysis adrenal system; prasterone; hydrocortisone blood level; mifepristone; glucocorticoid antagonist; glucocorticoid receptor antagonist