Allostasis and Homeostasis: Dynamic Adaptive Systems from a Neurophysiological Perspective

Abstract

Homeostasis is a well-known physiological principle that refers to a stable internal environment. Allostasis, on the other hand, is a more recently understood physiological principle based on predictive control, in which the setpoint of the internal environment is dynamically adjusted to increase control efficiency. The concept of allostasis continues to evolve with advances in the field of neuroscience. This overview introduces some new findings and broadens the concept of allostasis to apply it to the inter-regulation of the cognitive, somatic, and autonomic nervous systems. This article will describe on way in which biological systems alter themselves to adapt to their external and internal environments.