Stress-Related Disorders and Depression: From Molecular Basis to Therapy (3rd Edition)
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 831
Special Issue Editors
Interests: neuroscience; neuropharmacology; stress-related disorders; depression; psychotropic drugs; GPCR signaling; noradrenergic system; neuroplasticity; neuroimmune interaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: neurobiology; pharmacology; stress; psychiatric disorders
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Stress is defined as a challenge to the homeostasis of an organism by events in the environment. Two major systems are essential in the response to stressors: the sympathetic adrenomedullary system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA). Elevated by stress, noradrenaline and HPA axis-related hormones (including CRH, vasopressin, ACTH, and corticosteroids) influence the gene transcription processes and the functioning of neurotransmitter systems. The immune system’s responsiveness is also affected. Via alterations to brain structure, chemistry, and function, chronic stress contributes to depression and various anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is evidence demonstrating that chronic stress may also contribute to addiction and obesity.
The purpose of this Special Issue is to collect original research articles and review papers that concern the study of how the brain transduces environmental stress exposure into depression and stress-related diseases. We aim to bring together the most recent studies and use different experimental approaches, in vivo or in vitro, for the purpose of addressing the following topics:
- Molecular and cellular responses to stress;
- Stress-induced changes in the neurochemical cross-talk between signaling systems in the brain;
- Methods to study the effects of various stressors in psychiatric disease models;
- Stress vulnerability and resilience;
- Stress biomarkers;
- Therapies for stress-related disorders.
Prof. Dr. Irena Nalepa
Dr. Agnieszka Zelek-Molik
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- psychobiology of stress
- depression
- posttraumatic stress disorder
- anxiety disorders
- animal models
- biogenic monoamines
- glucocorticoids
- inflammation
- antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs
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