Development of the cerebral cortex: XIII. Stress and brain development: II.

In spite of their bad reputation, stress hormones have a protect ive as well as a damaging effect on the body. Whether the good or bad side of stre ss hormon e action predominates depends on the time course of the hormonal stress respon se, as well as the body's exposure to stress hormones. Let us consider some examples. G lucocort ico ids arc so named because of their abil ity to promote conversion of protein and lipids to usable carbohydrates. In the short run. this serves the bod y well by replen ishing energy reserves after a period of activity, like running away from a predator. Glucocort icoids also act on the brain to increase appetite for food, another way of regulating energy, and to increase locomotor activity and food-seeking behavior. This serves us well after running two miles, but it is not beneficial when we grab a bag of potato chips while cramming for an exam or writing a grant application. Inact ivity and lack of energy expenditure