Role of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis

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The Hypothalamus & Pituitary

Studies suggest that the Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which controls the body's levels of cortisol and other "stress" hormones, plays a key role in inhibiting the inflammatory response. Studies also seem to suggest that a defective response of the HPA axis may play a role in various inflammatory diseases.

See also:

• Hypothalamus
• Pituitary Gland
• Adrenal Glands

Useful links:

• NIH Backgrounder: Stress System Malfunction Could Lead to Serious, Life Threatening Disease
• Endocrine and immune responses to stress in chronic inflammatory skin disorders.
• Mind-Body-Health.net: Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis
• Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.
• The cytokine-HPA axis feed-back circuit