Brain Mineralocorticoid Receptors and Resilience to Stress

Abstract

Exposure to stressful experiences triggers the release of-among others-glucocorticoids from the adrenal glands. These hormones, cortisol and corticosterone in humans and rodents respectively, activate mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) that regulate neuronal activity and behavioral adaptation to stressful experiences. This review discusses molecular properties of MRs, the role of MRs in regulating neuronal function and behavior and, ultimately, evidence that enhanced MR function may confer resilience to stressful experiences.

Keywords: Chronic stress; Corticosterone; Cortisol; Depression electrophysiology; Early life adversity; Memory.