![Expression of a fluorescent protein (green) can be seen in prefrontal cortex projections to the area where the brainstem connects to the spinal cord. Cortical terminals are shown in contrast with epinephrine and norepinephrine-producing neurons (magenta), which play an important role in the fight or flight stress response.](https://master-media.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/New-study-reveals-cortical-to-brainstem-circuit-that-reduces-stress.jpg)
Coping with stress is significant for emotional and bodily wellbeing.
Scientists from the lab of Brent Myers, affiliate professor in the Office of Biomedical Sciences, determined a neural circuit that connects directly from part of the prefrontal cortex recognized for processing environmental cues to aspect of the brainstem acknowledged for driving “fight or flight” stress responses and confirmed that activating it lowered strain responses in rats. Their results are released in The Journal of Physiology.