The role of glucocorticoids and its receptors in comorbidity of chronic pain and depression / 医学研究生学报

Chronic pain and depression often co-exist, which seriously affects the life quality of the patients. Glucocorticoids, as a stress hormone, are significantly higher in chronic pain and depression. Meanwhile, continuous elevated glucocorticoids can also cause chronic pain and depression. Recent studies show that glucocorticoid and its receptors also play a role in comorbidity.The specific mechanism including, the levels of glucocorticoids and the function of its receptors changes cause inflammation factor, brain derived neurotrophic factor, serotonin and other cytokines changes,which eventually lead to chronic pain and depression comorbidity.