Frontiers in neuroendocrinology
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Front Neuroendocrinol · Apr 2010
ReviewPubertal maturation and programming of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal reactivity.
Modifications in neuroendocrine function are a hallmark of pubertal development. These changes have many short- and long-term implications for the physiological and neurobehavioral function of an individual. ⋯ Moreover, recent studies indicate that exposure to stressors during pubertal maturation may result in enduring changes in HPA responsiveness in adulthood. As puberty is marked by a substantial increase in many stress-related psychological and physiological disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, drug abuse), it is essential to understand the factors that regulate and modulate HPA function during this crucial period of development.