Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
336618 Psychoneuroendocrinology 2007 15 Pages PDF
Abstract

SummaryMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and degenerative disease of the CNS with an assumed autoimmune-mediated pathogenesis. Stressful life events have been hypothesized as potential triggers of disease exacerbation. Animal studies using experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), as a model for MS, suggest that decreased hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) function may play a role in the increased susceptibility and severity of the disease. Histopathological studies of the hypothalamus point to disturbances in corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) regulation as a result of MS lesions in this area. Functional endocrine tests (e.g., the combined Dexamethasone–CRH test) showed a disturbed negative feedback after steroid application in MS patients. Hyper- and hypoactivity of the HPA axis, have been described to be associated with more severe courses.This paper presents an overview of the evidence for a role of HPA dysfunction in EAE and MS based on stress-experimental studies.

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