Brain-Skin Connection: Stress, Inflammation and Skin Aging

Abstract

The intricate relationship between stress and skin conditions has been documented since ancient times. Recent clinical observations also link psychological stress to the onset or aggravation of multiple skin diseases. However, the exact underlying mechanisms have only been studied and partially revealed in the past 20 years or so. In this review, the authors will discuss the recent discoveries in the field of “Brain-Skin Connection”, summarizing findings from the overlapping fields of psychology, endocrinology, skin neurobiology, skin inflammation, immunology, and pharmacology.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging in dermatology: The skin, the brain and the invisible

“…Under normal circumstances HPA axis hormones contribute to skin homoeostasis, anti-inflammatory balance and antimicrobial defense. [6][7][8] However, under stress, the HPA axis may be altered resulting in proinflammatory hormonal effects, resistance of tissue receptors to glucocorticoids and mast cell activation in the skin. [6,9] In addition, a brain-derived nerve growth factor can mediate or enhance skin inflammation culminating in a "nervous breakdown of the skin," which manifests as a stress-induced exacerbation of an inflammatory skin disease.…”

“…[6,9] In addition, a brain-derived nerve growth factor can mediate or enhance skin inflammation culminating in a "nervous breakdown of the skin," which manifests as a stress-induced exacerbation of an inflammatory skin disease. [7,8,10] Indeed, there are numerous dermatological conditions strongly influenced by stress such as atopic eczema, psoriasis, pruritus or hyperhidrosis. Apart from such neuroendocrineimmunological mechanisms, the brain modulates skin sensations also by emotional and cognitive aspects.…”

Analysis of the Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Psoriasis: The Relevance of Psychiatric Assessment in Dermatology

“…These conditions are called psychophysiological skin disorders (Yadav et al 2013). There is an embryological and biochemical relationship between the brain and the skin (Chen & Lyga 2014) which could also explain the high prevalence of psychopathology in patients with chronic skin diseases, such as in psoriasis.…”

Neuroendocrinology of the skin

“…A neuroimmunoendocrine circuitry of the Bbrain-skin connection^ [7] has been invoked in many diseases, including skin aging [8] and inflammation [3]. The skin reflects the neurohormonal makeup of the body with keratinocytes, melanocytes, and mast cells contributing to a local hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis [9].…”