Dysregulated stress signal sensitivity and inflammatory disinhibition as a pathophysiological mechanism of stress-related chronic fatigue.
Strahler J, Skoluda N, Rohleder N, Nater U (2016)
Publication Status: Published
Publication Type: Journal article, Review article
Publication year: 2016
Journal
Book Volume: 68
Pages Range: 298-318
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.05.008
Abstract
Chronic stress and its subsequent effects on biological stress systems have long been recognized as predisposing and perpetuating factors in chronic fatigue, although the exact mechanisms are far from being completely understood. In this review, we propose that sensitivity of immune cells to glucocorticoids (GCs) and catecholamines (CATs) may be the missing link in elucidating how stress turns into chronic fatigue. We searched for in vitro studies investigating the impact of GCs or CATs on mitogen-stimulated immune cells in chronically stressed or fatigued populations, with 34 original studies fulfilling our inclusion criteria. Besides mixed cross-sectional findings for stress- and fatigue-related changes of GC sensitivity under basal conditions or acute stress, longitudinal studies indicate a decrease with ongoing stress. Research on CATs is still scarce, but initial findings point towards a reduction of CAT sensitivity under chronic stress. In the long run, resistance of immune cells to stress signals under conditions of chronic stress might translate into self-maintaining inflammation and inflammatory disinhibition under acute stress, which in turn lead to fatigue.
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Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Strahler, J., Skoluda, N., Rohleder, N., & Nater, U. (2016). Dysregulated stress signal sensitivity and inflammatory disinhibition as a pathophysiological mechanism of stress-related chronic fatigue. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 68, 298-318. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.05.008
MLA:
Strahler, Jana, et al. "Dysregulated stress signal sensitivity and inflammatory disinhibition as a pathophysiological mechanism of stress-related chronic fatigue." Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 68 (2016): 298-318.
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