Gray T S, Bingaman E W
Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Loyola Medical Center, Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
Crit Rev Neurobiol. 1996;10(2):155-68. doi: 10.1615/critrevneurobiol.v10.i2.10.
The possible function of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), adrenal steroids, and gonadal steroids in amygdala-mediated responses to anxiogenic or stressful stimuli is reviewed. The amygdala is part of an endogenous CRF circuitry within the brain that mediates neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral changes in response to stress. The amygdala contains CRF-expressing neurons that communicate with widespread regions of the neural axis. High densities of CRF, CRF-binding protein, and CRF receptors are located in the amygdala. Direct injections of CRF into the amygdala produce anxiety-like behaviors. Release of endogenous CRF can be measured in the amygdala during stress. Potent anxiolytic actions are observed when CRF receptor antagonists are administered into the amygdala. CRF-containing neurons of the amygdala can be directly modulated by alterations in circulating glucocorticoids through glucocorticoid receptors, which are expressed in amygdaloid CRF-containing neurons. Gonadal steroid hormone receptors are found in the amygdala. They are not located in CRF immunoreactive neurons, but they are located adjacent to CRF-expressing neurons and in amygdaloid neurons that are likely to participate in central autonomic and neuroendocrine circuitry. Differences are noted between the steroid influences in the amygdala of male and female animals. Also, evidence is reviewed suggesting a modulatory role in the amygdala for gonadal and adrenal steroids in behavioral, autonomic, and neuroendocrine responses to anxiogenic stimuli.
本文综述了促肾上腺皮质激素释放因子（CRF）、肾上腺类固醇和性腺类固醇在杏仁核介导的对焦虑或应激刺激反应中的可能作用。杏仁核是大脑内源性CRF神经回路的一部分，介导对应激的神经内分泌、自主神经和行为变化。杏仁核含有表达CRF的神经元，这些神经元与神经轴的广泛区域进行通信。杏仁核中存在高密度的CRF、CRF结合蛋白和CRF受体。直接向杏仁核注射CRF会产生类似焦虑的行为。在应激期间可在杏仁核中测量内源性CRF的释放。当将CRF受体拮抗剂注入杏仁核时，可观察到有效的抗焦虑作用。杏仁核中含CRF的神经元可通过糖皮质激素受体被循环糖皮质激素的变化直接调节，糖皮质激素受体在杏仁核中含CRF的神经元中表达。在杏仁核中发现了性腺类固醇激素受体。它们并不位于CRF免疫反应性神经元中，而是位于表达CRF的神经元附近以及可能参与中枢自主神经和神经内分泌回路的杏仁核神经元中。注意到雄性和雌性动物杏仁核中类固醇影响的差异。此外，本文还综述了证据，表明性腺和肾上腺类固醇在杏仁核对焦虑刺激的行为、自主神经和神经内分泌反应中起调节作用。
