Biography
Biography: Esther Louise Sabban
Abstract
The talk will begin with a historical prospective on stress and its definition that brings us to the modern concept of allostasis, or adaptation through change. The major molecular and physiological changes in response to stress will be discussed, specifically the immediate catecholaminergic response, in the brain and periphery, and the activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Differences in mechanisms in response to acute and chronic stress need to be considered and subsequently how these are associated with the increased propensity to various diseases, with specific examples and some new treatment strategies. Specific influences on stress response, from early life experience, genetic and epigenetic differences and gender influence the response to stress and their consequences. The talk will end with an overview of some of the important questions that need to be addressed in the field of stress.