Research news on Allostasis

Allostasis is a biological process by which an organism achieves stability through adaptive change in response to environmental and internal demands, primarily via integrated neural, endocrine, autonomic, and immune mechanisms. Unlike homeostasis, which emphasizes maintaining constancy of specific variables, allostasis involves predictive and dynamic adjustment of set points and physiological responses based on context and anticipated needs. Key mediators include glucocorticoids, catecholamines, and inflammatory cytokines, which coordinate energy allocation, cardiovascular function, metabolism, and behavior. While acutely protective and essential for survival, dysregulated or chronic allostatic activation contributes to allostatic load, promoting pathophysiological changes and increasing disease vulnerability.