allostasis

Introduction

• a physiological mechanism of regulation in which an organism anticipates & adjusts its energy use according to environmental demands
• this differs from the concept of homeostasis in which the body adjusts to maintain a rigid internal set-point
• it refers to brain's ability to interpret environmental stress & coordinate changes in the body through neurotransmitters, hormones, & other signaling mechanisms
• allostasis plays a role in
  • the body's stress response
  • adaptation to chronic stress
  • regulation of the immune system
  • development of chronic diseases
    • hypertension, glaucoma ...

Notes

• allostatic load is a measure of an organism's struggle to maintain allostasis

Additional terms

• allostatic load
• hemostasis