PHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF STRESS AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
V.A. Gorbachenko, V.V. Olianin, O.O. Lukyanets
Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/fz70.06.098
Abstract
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a complex
mental disorder that develops following exposure to severe
traumatic events and is characterized by symptoms such
as re-experiencing the trauma, heightened anxiety, and
hyperarousal. Recent studies indicate that the pathophysiology
of PTSD is largely influenced by dysfunction in the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and disruptions in
neurotransmitter regulation, which affect key brain structures,
including the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex.
The amygdala plays a central role in the formation and
retention of fear, amplifying emotional responses to traumatic
stimuli. Stress hormones, such as cortisol, adrenaline,
and noradrenaline, in combination with neurotransmitters
(serotonin, dopamine, glutamate), modulate amygdala activity,
influencing the development of PTSD. This review highlights
the importance of investigating biomarkers for early PTSD
diagnosis and explores promising therapeutic strategies
focused on correcting HPA axis dysfunction and restoring
neurotransmitter balance to alleviate PTSD symptoms.
Keywords:
post-traumatic stress disorder; traumatic events; neurobiology; amygdala; prefrontal cortex; hippocampus; endocrine system; cortisol; stress hormones; fear; memory; biomarkers; neural connections.
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