Figure 3.

Schematic diagram illustrating some of the important intracellular signaling cascades activated by high levels of catecholamine release in the PFC during stress exposure. Activation of these pathways reduces PFC cell firing and impairs spatial working memory performance. Molecules that are often genetically altered in mental illness are denoted in red; these substances normally inhibit the stress pathways but are weakened by genetic alterations. Arrows, activate; T, inhibit.