Sex hormones affect acute and chronic stress responses in sexually dimorphic patterns: Consequences for depression models

A multitude of different genetic and developmental causes may lead to alterations in a network mediated by stress- and reward-related neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems, which - in different ways - cause individuals to be vulnerable for depression facing the stressful life events (Bao et al., 2012). The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a hub for integrating the neuroendocrine responses to stress (Ramot et al., 2017) and for the pathogenesis of mood disorders (Bao et al., 2005).
Source: Psychoneuroendocrinology - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Source Type: research