Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-cortical

The second neuro-endocrine system is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-cortical (HPAC) system (Asterita 1985 Cannon 1932 Cannon and de la Paz 1911 Frankenhaeuser 1983 Henry and Stephens 1977 Levine and... 

The cortical-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis has been implicated in major depression 893... 

In depressed patients, cortical-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity can be explained by the hypersecretion of CRF, and secondary pituitary and adrenal gland hypertrophy. Impaired negative feedback at various CNS sites, including the hippocampus and pituitary are also likely to contribute. Downregulation of hippocampal mineralocorticoid receptors and expression is reported in depressed suicides [50]. In bipolar disorder, hyperactivity of the cortical-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis has been observed [51]. This increase in cortical-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity has also been observed in mixed mood states, mania and in depression in rapidcycling patients. Partial reversal of HPA overactivity is associated with treatment and recovery from depression. 

Different evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in the regulation of emotional-like behaviour. Thus, the CBi cannabinoid receptor is widely distributed in limbic and cortical areas involved in the control of emotion. The administration of cannabinoid ligands produces emotional-like responses in different behavioural paradigms. Furthermore, cannabinoids also exert a modulatory role on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis (HPA), and these compounds modulate the release of several neurotransmitters involved in emotional behaviour, including CCK and GABA,... 

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