Figure 6.

Potential neural circuitry recruited for NTS GR-mediated endocrine and behavioral effects. Our study shows that GR within the NTS is necessary to inhibit endocrine and behavioral responses to stress. Previous work has shown that glucocorticoid infusion in NTS modulates basolateral amygdala (BLA) mediated functions (Roozendaal et al., 1999). In addition, the NTS sends direct projections to the PVN and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) (Ricardo and Koh, 1978). The BST also receives projection from BLA (Myers et al., 2013a), and in turn innervates the PVN. Thus, it is possible that the stress-induced effects of NTS GR are mediated predominantly by the PVN, along with other forebrain stress regulatory regions including the BLA and BST. However, future studies are needed to test this potentially recruited pathway.

ME= Median Eminence, Ant Pituitary= Anterior Pituitary, CRH= Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone, AVP= Arginine Vasopressin, GC= Glucocorticoid, GR= Glucocorticoid receptor