Neuroimmunoendocrine Circuitry of the Brain-Skin Connection

The 2006 study "Neuroimmunoendocrine circuitry of the ‘brain-skin connection’" investigated the link between stress and skin conditions, specifically hair growth. The research discovered that stress can trigger or exacerbate allergic and inflammatory skin diseases through a 'brain-skin connection' involving local neuroimmunoendocrine circuitry. In stressed mice, elements like corticotropin-releasing hormone, nerve growth factor, and mast cells were found to cause neurogenic skin inflammation, which subsequently inhibits hair growth. The hair follicle was recognized as both a target and a source for immunomodulatory stress mediators, mirroring the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis. This study offered insights into the intricate neuroimmunoendocrine responses that peripheral tissues initiate upon stress exposure, potentially aiding in the identification of new therapeutic stress intervention targets.