[The hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenocortical axis: organization, dynamic aspects and the effect of stress on corticotropin-releasing hormone activity in neurons].

Hypothalamic-hypophyseal-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, often termed stress axis, together with the peripheral sympathetic nervous system and the adrenomedullar hormonal system very sensitively and promptly responds to both external and internal stimuli endangering homeostasis. HPA helps to maintain the physiological equilibrium. The HPA axis forms the first line in the protection of the organism, monitoring the negative factors affecting the stability of the organism by responding by secretion of glucocorticoids. The exaggerated activity of HPA axis is harmful for the organism since it induces a number of disorders including hyperlipidemia, muscle atrophy, hypertension etc., not excluding brain damage. The alterations of the HPA axis lead to hypersecretion of glucocorticoids which may play an important role in the pathology of psychical and neurological diseases. (Tab. 3, Fig. 2, Ref. 31.)