The locus coeruleus, Barrington's nucleus, and neural circuits of stress

Abstract

Much attention has focused on the role of the locus coeruleus (LC) as a component of the central neural circuitry involved in stress. Many, though not all, stressful stimuli produce activation of LC neurons, as reflected by increased Fos expression in these neurons. Stimulation of the LC elicits many stress-like responses, including increased ACTH secretion, though not all responses to LC stimulation are readily interpretable in the context of stress. In particular, stimulation of the LC, at least in anesthetized rats, elicits a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. Inhibition of the LC has been reported to inhibit certain responses to stress, including inhibition of ACTH release in response to certain stressors. Furthermore, local inhibition of the LC prevents foot shock-evoked Fos expression in certain brain areas. In the studies of the role of the LC in stress, one complicating factor has been the inadequate attention given to Barrington's nucleus (BN), which is located adjacent to the LC. Although BN is best recognized for its role in the control of micturition, the fact that it is activated by a great variety of stressful stimuli, and that it is anatomically connected to multiple output systems involved in stress responses, suggest that it may play a role in the neural circuitry subserving responses to stress.