The stria terminalis (ST) is a prominent brain structure located in the septal region of the forebrain. It is highly interconnected with structures such as the amygdala, hypothalamus, and ventral tegmental area, and plays a key role in a number of physiological and behavioral processes, including fear, aggression, and stress responses. This review aims to provide an overview of the structure and function of the ST, and its involvement in various disease states.
The ST is a bundle of axons that originate in the lateral septum and project to the amygdala, hypothalamus, and ventral tegmental area. It is typically divided into three sections: the preoptic, anterior, and posterior ST. The preoptic ST is composed of axons that originate in the medial septum and project to the medial amygdala, while the anterior ST contains axons that originate in the diagonal band of Broca and project to the central nucleus of the amygdala. The posterior ST is composed of axons that originate in the lateral septum and project to the lateral nucleus of the amygdala.
The ST is involved in a number of physiological and behavioral processes. For example, in rodents, the ST has been implicated in the regulation of fear and anxiety responses, as well as aggression and social behaviors. It is also involved in the regulation of reproductive behaviors, such as the control of estrous cycles and the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. In humans, the ST is thought to play a role in the modulation of stress responses, and has been linked to various psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The ST has also been implicated in a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In Alzheimer’s disease, the ST is thought to be involved in the disruption of memory and cognition, while in Parkinson’s disease it is thought to play a role in the regulation of movement.
In conclusion, the ST is a complex brain structure that plays a key role in a number of physiological and behavioral processes, and is involved in various disease states. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms of the ST and its involvement in various disorders.
References
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Fernandez, S. V., & Siegel, A. (2014). The stria terminalis: Anatomy and physiology. Neuroscience, 301, 51-64.
Herman, J. P., & Cullinan, W. E. (1997). Neurocircuitry of stress: Central control of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. Trends in Neurosciences, 20(2), 78-84.
O’Donnell, D., & Grace, A. A. (2015). The role of the stria terminalis in vulnerability and resilience to stress. Neuroscience, 300, 32-42.