2. Write a short paragraph to answer the question Dexamethasone is a drug used t

Question

2. Write a short paragraph to answer the question Dexamethasone is a drug used to suppress the secretion of ACTH. Two patients with high levels of cortisol are given dexamethasone. Anika's cortisol level falls to normal after the medication, but Bonnie's cortisol level remains elevated. Before treatment with dexamethasone, do you expect Anika's ACTH and CHR levels to be higher, lower, or normal compared to a healthy individual. What about Bonnie? Justify each answer by demonstrating knowledge of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis.

Explanation / Answer

Hpothalams - Pituatory - Adrenal Axis:-

Pschological or Physical Stress ==>Stimulates Hypothalamus to secrete CRH+==>Pituatory to secrete ACTH==>Adrenal to  secrete Cortisol. High levels of Cortisol has negative fedback on HPA axis.

As per above axis, It seems Anika's ACTH and CHR levels are much higher than Bonnie and normal individuals.

Also ACTH and cortisol levels depend on age. Hypothalamus and pituatory are less sensitive to negative feedback as we age.

It also depends on sex. older women produce more cortisols in response to stress than old men. while younger females produce less cortisols as compared to young men.

Also individuals stress control plays a major role in HPA axis homeostasis.

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