Gene dosage effects of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) in adrenal development and the stress.
2000Endocrine research
Bland ML, Jamieson C, Akana S, Dallman M, Ingraham HA
PubMedS PAUL AKANA, MD
MILFORD, DE
Surgery NPI registered 21+ years 4 publications 1979 – 2000 NPI: 1942208459
MiceRatsRNA, MessengerDNA-Binding ProteinsStress, PhysiologicalPhosphoproteinsAdrenocorticotropic HormoneFastingHeterozygoteHomeodomain ProteinsAdrenal GlandsGene DosageReceptors, Cytoplasmic and NuclearCorticosteroneFushi Tarazu Transcription Factors
What does S AKANA research?
Dr. Akana studies how stress affects hormone levels in the body, particularly focusing on conditions such as chronic stress and high altitude. His research in rats demonstrates that prolonged stress can interfere with how the body responds to stress hormones like corticosterone, which might lead to various health problems. Additionally, he investigates how environmental factors, such as high altitudes, affect the growth and function of adrenal glands and hormone production during critical periods of development in newborns and fetuses.
Key findings
- Chronically stressed rats show decreased sensitivity to corticosterone, resulting in less reduction of ACTH levels when treated, which indicates potential long-term health impacts.
- Stress leads to a rapid increase of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the brain, which directly correlates with higher levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Certain medications can reduce this hormonal response.
- In fetal rats at high altitude, adrenal glands are larger, but they produce significantly lower levels of corticosterone compared to those at sea level, indicating that altitude can adversely affect hormonal development.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Dr. Akana study chronic stress?
- Yes, Dr. Akana investigates the impact of chronic stress on hormone responses and how it can affect overall health.
- What treatments has Dr. Akana researched related to stress?
- His research examines how certain medications can alter the hormonal responses associated with stress, potentially improving treatment strategies for stress-related conditions.
- Is Dr. Akana's work relevant to patients in high-altitude areas?
- Yes, his research on how high altitude affects hormonal development is pertinent for understanding health risks in newborns and fetuses in those environments.
Publications in plain English
Decreased sensitivity to glucocorticoid fast feedback in chronically stressed rats.
1990Neuroendocrinology
Young EA, Akana S, Dallman MF
Plain English
This study examined how chronic stress in rats affects their hormonal responses to the stress hormone corticosterone. Researchers found that chronically stressed rats did not show the usual decrease in certain hormones (like ACTH) when treated with corticosterone, indicating they were less sensitive to its effects. This matters because it highlights how long-term stress can disrupt the body’s normal hormonal regulation, potentially leading to health issues.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers understand the impact of chronic stress on hormone regulation in patients.
Correlation between the stress-induced transient increase in corticotropin-releasing hormone content of the median eminence of the hypothalamus and adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion.
1989Neuroendocrinology
Murakami K, Akana S, Dallman MF, Ganong WF
Plain English
This study looked at how stress affects certain hormones in rats. Researchers found that stress quickly increased the level of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in a specific part of the brain, which also led to higher levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). They noted that this response was reduced when certain medications were given, indicating that stress responses might be controlled by specific brain chemicals.
Who this helps: This research helps doctors understand how stress impacts hormone levels, which can aid in treating stress-related health issues.
Alterations in adrenal growth and corticosteroid content in foetal and neonatal rats developing at high altitude.
1979The Journal of endocrinology
Garvey D, Akana S, Weisman A, Timiras PS
Plain English
This study looked at how living at a high altitude affects the growth and function of the adrenal glands in baby rats. Researchers found that while the size of the adrenal glands changed significantly—larger in fetuses but smaller in newborn rats—the levels of important hormones like corticosterone were much lower in those at high altitude compared to those raised at sea level. This is important because it suggests that high altitude can impact hormone production, which may influence the health and development of newborns.
Who this helps: This helps researchers and doctors understand the effects of altitude on fetal and neonatal health.
Frequent Co-Authors
M F Dallman M L Bland C Jamieson M Dallman H A Ingraham E A Young K Murakami W F Ganong D Garvey A Weisman
Physician data sourced from the NPPES NPI Registry . Publication data from PubMed . Plain-English summaries generated by AI. Not medical advice.