NEUROCHEMICAL HIPPOCAMPAL MECHANISMS OF STRESS BEHAVIOR AND ESCAPE REACTIONS
Among other limbic brain structures hippocampus plays prominent role in mechanisms of behavior. Known experimental data show that hippocampus participates in regulation of distinct body functions. Nevertheless there is unclarity among some key points of intra and extrahippocampal organization of its functions. In this review the author describes current knowledge of neuroanatomical and neurochemical hippocampal organization which underlies nonsynaptic diffusive neurotransmission, regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and behavioral defensive reactions. Further investigation of mechanisms of hippocampal participation in stress reactions will further disclose new ways of brain subcortical communication which are primarily underlying emotional reactions, autonomic body functions and behavior.