HPA STRESS AXIS AND SEROTONIN
IN MAJOR DEPRESSION
• Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis (HPA) overactivity
(elevated CRH and cortisol, dexamethasone resistance) is
present in many patients with severe depression.
• Corticosteroids reduce hippocampal 5-HT1A receptor sites in
animal studies and may explain reduced hippocampal damage
in depression.