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Stress Response, Brain Noradrenergic System and Cognition

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Respiratory System Diseases

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((NR,volume 980))

Abstract

Locus coeruleus is a critical component of the brain noradrenergic system. The brain noradrenergic system provides the neural substrate for the architecture supporting the interaction with, and navigation through, an external world complexity. Changes in locus coeruleus tonic and phasic activity and the interplay between norepinephrine and α1- and α2-adrenoceptors in the prefrontal cortex are the key elements of this sophisticated architecture. In this narrative review we discuss how the brain noradrenergic system is affected by increased exposure to corticotropin-releasing hormone triggered by stress response. In particular, we present the mechanisms responsible for thinking inflexibility often observed under highly stressful conditions. Finally, the main directions for future research are highlighted.

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Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Human Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 15 Tuwima Street, 80-210, Gdansk, Poland

    Pawel J. Winklewski

  2. Institute of Health Sciences, Pomeranian University of Slupsk, Slupsk, Poland

    Pawel J. Winklewski

  3. Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

    Marek Radkowski

  4. Institute of Human Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland

    Magdalena Wszedybyl-Winklewska

  5. Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Clinical Immunology of Developmental Age, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

    Urszula Demkow

Authors
  1. Pawel J. Winklewski
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  2. Marek Radkowski
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  3. Magdalena Wszedybyl-Winklewska
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  4. Urszula Demkow
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Correspondence to Pawel J. Winklewski .

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  1. Opole Medical School, Opole, Poland

    Mieczyslaw Pokorski

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Winklewski, P.J., Radkowski, M., Wszedybyl-Winklewska, M., Demkow, U. (2017). Stress Response, Brain Noradrenergic System and Cognition. In: Pokorski, M. (eds) Respiratory System Diseases. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology(), vol 980. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/5584_2016_204

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