RESEARCH Early handling attenuates

Full list of author information is available at the end of the articleBackground Stress initiates a cascade of neuroendocrine events in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which ultimately leads to increased secretion of the gluco-corticoid hormone cortisol from the adrenal glands. Activity of the HPA axis is tightly controlled through com-plex regulatory mechanisms of glucocorticoid negative feedback. Glucocorticoids regulate the secretion of cor-ticotropin-releasing factor and adrenocorticotropic hor-mone, from the hypothalamus and pituitary, respectively [1-4]. In addition, receptor sites within the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex play an important role in the regula-tion of HPA axis activity [2,5]. Following chronic or trau-matic stress, inappropriate adaptation of the HPA axis can lead to pathological states; specifically, changes in glu-cocorticoid receptors (GRs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of stress related psychiatric disorders such a