Stress is ubiquitous, and at no time in recent memory has this been more evident than right now on a global scale. Our survival depends on our ability to continually adjust and respond to ever-evolving challenges in our world.
Interestingly, how we manage stress now has implications for how we will manage stress in the future. It is not necessarily about the actions we take now, but rather whether we feel our actions give us some control over the outcome during a difficult time. Psychologists and neuroscientists have pondered this stress control theory for decades, but how the brain intertwines the perception of controllability of one situation into decisions and actions for future situations has not been well understood.
Recent work by researchers at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM),published in Nature Neuroscience, suggests an ancient population of cells in the brain that control stress hormones may hold the key to linking the controllability of stressin one situationwith behaviour during future stress.
Principal investigator Dr. Jaideep Bains, PhD, a professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and researcher at the CSMs Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI), and his research team focused onthe contributionsof corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a brain region that is instrumental in regulating autonomic bodily functions: things that are involuntary such as thirst, hunger, sleep, body temperature, blood pressure, and the release of stress hormones.
The research team used an experimental model in which mice are exposed to an expanding shadow above them tovirtuallymimic a predator approaching from the sky. They simultaneously monitored behaviour and recorded the activity of CRH neurons, and discovered that animals either escaped to a shelter, or froze in place.
The active/take-charge response, but not the freezing response, was preceded by an increase in the activity of CRH cells. Based on these findings, the researchers used light delivered via an optical fibre to selectively silence these cells. This use of light decreased escape behaviour and increased freezing behaviour, indicating that CRH neurons are key behavioural switches between passive and active reactions.
This was a very unexpected finding and is the first demonstration that these CRH cells, which control our automatic hormone response to stress, also play a permissive role in controlling survival behaviours
- Jaideep Bains
The team then took the study one step further to explore whether prior stressful experience with different levels of outcome control could alter CRH neuron activity and, by extension, the behaviour.Whether an individual had control or not of the outcome during stress had very different effects on these cells. Specifically, stress that was controlled in an earlier situation boosted the anticipatory activity of CRH neurons in the study, and this effect persisted in the looming shadow test, indicating thatthis group ofneuronsremembers past experience and uses this information to modify future behaviour.
Ifprior history of controllable stress makes individuals more resilient,even in different stressful situations,then it follows thatone could train resilienceby intentionally presentingcontrollable stressors, notes lead researcherDr. Nria Daviu, PhD, postdoctoral fellow in the Bains laboratory at the HBI.
These findings are particularly intriguing considering that people behave similarly to the study subjects: peoplewhohaveexperienced a trauma during which they felt like they had no control oftenrespond to subsequentstressorsmore passively, making it difficult to tackle challenges. Potentially, exposure toastressover which the individualfeels they have controlcould be an effective rehabilitation, or even preventivestrategy, for managing the effects of stress.
This research was funded by a Foundation grant from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and support from the CSM Optogenetics and behaviour facility. Daviu is an Alberta Innovates Postdoctoral Fellow.
Led by theHotchkissBrainInstitute,BrainandMentalHealthis one of six research strategies guiding the University of Calgary in itsEyes Highstrategic direction. The strategy provides a unifying direction forbrainand mentalhealthresearch at the universityandpositions researchers to unlock new discoveriesandtreatments forbrainhealthin our community.
Read the rest here:
Specific brain cells are critical for linking stress controllability and future behaviour - UCalgary News
- Hypothalamus - Your Hormones - December 5th, 2017 [December 5th, 2017]
- Depression and Your Hypothalamus | Dr. Lauren Deville ... - December 18th, 2017 [December 18th, 2017]
- HPA Axis Dysfunction | Adrenal Fatigue Solution - December 18th, 2017 [December 18th, 2017]
- Hypothalamus Disorders - December 18th, 2017 [December 18th, 2017]
- Hypothalamus | Hypothalamus Gland - Sleep Disorders Guide - January 12th, 2018 [January 12th, 2018]
- Hunger Motivation AP Psychology Community - January 22nd, 2018 [January 22nd, 2018]
- Hypothalamus | Endocrine Awareness Center for Health - March 4th, 2018 [March 4th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus Function, Definition & Location | Body Maps - March 7th, 2018 [March 7th, 2018]
- What is Circadian Rhythm? - National Sleep Foundation - March 29th, 2018 [March 29th, 2018]
- Location of the Hypothalamus | HHMI BioInteractive - March 30th, 2018 [March 30th, 2018]
- What is Hypothalamus, Parts of Hypothalamus with Pictures - May 31st, 2018 [May 31st, 2018]
- Arcuate nucleus - Wikipedia - June 17th, 2018 [June 17th, 2018]
- Ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus - Wikipedia - June 26th, 2018 [June 26th, 2018]
- Lateral hypothalamus - Wikipedia - July 30th, 2018 [July 30th, 2018]
- Paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus - Wikipedia - August 6th, 2018 [August 6th, 2018]
- Hypothalamic disease - Wikipedia - August 23rd, 2018 [August 23rd, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - Scholarpedia - September 8th, 2018 [September 8th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus | Definition of Hypothalamus by Merriam-Webster - September 8th, 2018 [September 8th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Function ... - September 20th, 2018 [September 20th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - Radiology - September 20th, 2018 [September 20th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - Anatomy, Nuclei and Function | Kenhub - October 5th, 2018 [October 5th, 2018]
- How does the hypothalamus control appetite? | Endocrine ... - October 13th, 2018 [October 13th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus: The Body's Thermostat | Ask A Biologist - November 9th, 2018 [November 9th, 2018]
- Thalamus - Wikipedia - November 9th, 2018 [November 9th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus Hormones | Function of the Hypothalamus Gland - December 12th, 2018 [December 12th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - New World Encyclopedia - December 12th, 2018 [December 12th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus | Psychology Wiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia - December 12th, 2018 [December 12th, 2018]
- Stria terminalis - Wikipedia - December 19th, 2018 [December 19th, 2018]
- Functions, Hypothalamus Hormones and Disorders - Health Jade - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus | You and Your Hormones from the Society for ... - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - Wikipedia - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- hypothalamus | Definition, Anatomy, & Function | Britannica.com - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- hypothalamus | Definition, Anatomy, & Function ... - December 27th, 2018 [December 27th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - Function, Hormones, and Structure - March 7th, 2019 [March 7th, 2019]
- 6 Natural Ways to Boost Hypothalamus Function - Dr. Axe - March 10th, 2019 [March 10th, 2019]
- HYPOTHALAMUS | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary - March 18th, 2019 [March 18th, 2019]
- Adrenal Cortical Hormones and Derivatives Market Analysis Of Growth, Trends Progress And Challenges Till Upcoming Year - QbnNews - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Narcolepsy Treatment Market: Worldwide Prospects, Share, Crucial Players, Size, Competitive Breakdown and Regional Forecast 2025 - Analytics News - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Progress Toward Diagnosis and Treatment, Finally? - American Council on Science and Health - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment Market to be at Forefront by 2017 2025 - NewsVarsity - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Saniona reports positive Tesomet Phase 2a clinical results in adolescent patients with Prader-Willi syndrome - GlobeNewswire - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- How Bullying May Shape Adolescent Brains - thesuntimesnews.com - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Nasal spray could help control appetite, burn fat and reduce weight - ScienceBlog.com - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- High Fat Foods Likely To Affect Hypothalamus In Brain - Market Research Diary - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- High-fat diets change your brain, not just your body - Big Think - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Two Studies Fail to Replicate Magnetogenetics Research - The Scientist - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Brain Pathway That Lets Us Forget 'Unnecessary Memories' Found - News18 - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- While You're Sound Asleep, Your Brain Removes 'Unnecessary' Memories - Interesting Engineering - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- 9 ways to improve your brain fitness - INTHEBLACK - October 5th, 2019 [October 5th, 2019]
- Biological Weathering and Its Deadly Effect on Black Mothers - Self - October 5th, 2019 [October 5th, 2019]
- Depression: The new-found friend of people who work in shifts - TheHealthSite - October 5th, 2019 [October 5th, 2019]
- Exploring the stress-mood-appetite connection - Baylor College of Medicine News - October 5th, 2019 [October 5th, 2019]
- Curious Kids: why does my older sister not want to play LEGO with me anymore and stays in her room? - The Conversation AU - October 5th, 2019 [October 5th, 2019]
- Current advances in research in treatment and recovery: Nicotine addiction - Science Advances - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Advances in understanding addiction treatment and recovery - Science Advances - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- The link between stress and depression and the 10 simple words that could help - The Guardian - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Stress Is Killing You For Real! Here is How to Deal with It - The DC Post - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Mother Nature's Little Blue Pill? The Science of Cannabis and Sex - L.A. Weekly - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Caltech And Allen Institute Scientists Discover Distinctive Sex-Specific Brain Cells In Mice - International Business Times - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Gender-Specific Brain Cells Have Just Been Discovered Inside The Brains of Mice - ScienceAlert - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Why Food Tastes Better When Were Hungry Researchers Find Neural Circuit in the Hypothalamus - SciTechDaily - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Global SomatostatinAnalogs Market Report to Share Key Aspects of the Industry with the details of Influence Factors - Market Research Writeup - October 21st, 2019 [October 21st, 2019]
- 'Below Deck': Why Is Drinking Alcohol in Thailand Getting the Crew and Guests so Drunk? - Showbiz Cheat Sheet - October 21st, 2019 [October 21st, 2019]
- Research Fellow - School of Biological Sciences job with UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN | 183890 - Times Higher Education (THE) - October 21st, 2019 [October 21st, 2019]
- Study: Why Food Tastes Better When You're Hungry - International Business Times - October 21st, 2019 [October 21st, 2019]
- Overeating may change the brain - WNDU-TV - October 21st, 2019 [October 21st, 2019]
- Can a new generation of weight-loss drugs finally help patients win at the losing game? - National Post - October 27th, 2019 [October 27th, 2019]
- Mood food: On the effect of diet on depression - Telegraph India - October 27th, 2019 [October 27th, 2019]
- Alternative approach to understanding consciousness may crack the mystery - Inverse - November 8th, 2019 [November 8th, 2019]
- Daylight saving time is bad for your health Read now - Massive Science - November 8th, 2019 [November 8th, 2019]
- Melania Trump visits hospital's 'cuddle' program for babies exposed to opioids in the womb - Yahoo Lifestyle - November 8th, 2019 [November 8th, 2019]
- Seasonal Affective Disorder: How the weather can cause 'hibernation' - BBC News - November 8th, 2019 [November 8th, 2019]
- Melania Trump visits hospital's 'cuddle' program for babies exposed to opioids in the womb - msnNOW - November 8th, 2019 [November 8th, 2019]
- Is sexual orientation genetic? Yes and no, an extensive study finds - Haaretz - November 18th, 2019 [November 18th, 2019]
- The problem of depression increases in winter, follow these steps to avoid it - News Track English - November 18th, 2019 [November 18th, 2019]
- A good night's sleep is a priority everything else comes after - The Badger Herald - November 18th, 2019 [November 18th, 2019]
- Exactly what and when to eat before and after a workout, according to a dietitian - Evening Standard - November 18th, 2019 [November 18th, 2019]
- From winter vagina to heart attacks and bad skin the 8 health dangers of cold weather - The Sun - December 8th, 2019 [December 8th, 2019]
- Researchers discover why youre skipping the gym for Netflix and sleep - The CEO Magazine - December 8th, 2019 [December 8th, 2019]
- 'Small things every day' can retrain your brain to cope with stress - Stuff.co.nz - December 8th, 2019 [December 8th, 2019]