Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
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Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. · Feb 2007
ReviewHPA function in adolescence: role of sex hormones in its regulation and the enduring consequences of exposure to stressors.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is one of the physiological systems involved in coping with stressors. There are functional shifts in the HPA axis and its regulation by sex hormones over the lifespan that allow the animal to meet the challenges of the internal and external environment that are specific to each stage of development. Sex differences in HPA function emerge over adolescence, a phenomenon reflecting the concomitant initiation of regulatory effects of sex hormones. ⋯ Although research has been scarce, there is a growing evidence that exposure to stressors in adolescence may alter behavioural responses to drugs and cognitive performance in adulthood. However, the effects reported appear to be stressor-specific and sex-specific. Such research may contribute toward understanding the increased risk for drug abuse and psychopathology that occurs over adolescence in people.
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Neurobiological studies hypothesize a common final pathway of addictive behavior in the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. Nicotine has been shown to sensitize the reward pathway, thereby causing increased drug-seeking behavior. ⋯ We found that increasing levels of nicotine dependence were related to higher levels of alcohol abuse and dependence. Furthermore, higher levels of nicotine dependence were associated with elevated levels of recent cannabinoid use.