Stress Response Modulation Underlying the Psychobiology of Resilience
Purpose of ReviewThis review focuses on the relationship between resilience and the ability to effectively modulate the stress response. Neurobiological and behavioral responses to stress are highly variable. Exposure to a similar stressor can lead to heterogeneous outcomes—manifesting psychopathology in one individual, but having minimal effect, or even enhancing resilience, in another. We highlight aspects of stress response modulation related to early life development and epigenetics, selected neurobiological and neurochemical systems, and a number of emotional, cognitive, psychosocial, and behavioral factors important in resilience. We also briefly discuss interventions with potential to build and promote resilience.Recent FindingsThroughout this review, we include evidence from recent preclinical and clinical studies relevant to the psychobiology of resilient stress response modulation.SummaryEffective modulation of the stress response is an essential component of resilience and is dependent on a complex interplay of neurobiological and behavioral factors.