Open Access

Neurobiology of bruxism: The impact of stress (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Ioannis A. Pavlou
    • Demetrios A. Spandidos
    • Vassilis Zoumpourlis
    • Veronica K. Papakosta
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  • Published online on: February 5, 2024     https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2024.1747
  • Article Number: 59
  • Copyright: © Pavlou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Bruxism is a non‑functional involuntary muscle activity that affects more than one‑third of the population at some point in their lives. A number of factors have been found to be related to the etiopathogenesis of bruxism; therefore, the condition is considered multifactorial. The most commonly accepted factor is stress. Stress has long been considered to increase muscle tone and to reduce the pain threshold. Current evidence indicates that exposure to chronic stress, distress and allostatic load ignite neurological degeneration and the attenuation of critical neuronal pathways that are highly implicated in the orofacial involuntary muscle activity. The present review discusses the negative effects that chronic stress exerts on certain parts of the central nervous system and the mechanisms through which these changes are involved in the etiopathogenesis of bruxism. The extent of these morphological and functional changes on nerves and neuronal tracts provides valuable insight into the obstacles that need to be overcome in order to achieve successful treatment. Additionally, particular emphasis is given on the effects of bruxism on the central nervous system, particularly the activation of the hypothalamic‑pituitary‑adrenal axis, as this subsequently induces an increase in circulating corticosterone levels, also evidenced by increased levels of salivary cortisol, thereby transforming bruxism into a self‑reinforcing loop.
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April-2024
Volume 20 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 2049-9434
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Spandidos Publications style
Pavlou IA, Spandidos DA, Zoumpourlis V and Papakosta VK: Neurobiology of bruxism: The impact of stress (Review). Biomed Rep 20: 59, 2024.
APA
Pavlou, I.A., Spandidos, D.A., Zoumpourlis, V., & Papakosta, V.K. (2024). Neurobiology of bruxism: The impact of stress (Review). Biomedical Reports, 20, 59. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2024.1747
MLA
Pavlou, I. A., Spandidos, D. A., Zoumpourlis, V., Papakosta, V. K."Neurobiology of bruxism: The impact of stress (Review)". Biomedical Reports 20.4 (2024): 59.
Chicago
Pavlou, I. A., Spandidos, D. A., Zoumpourlis, V., Papakosta, V. K."Neurobiology of bruxism: The impact of stress (Review)". Biomedical Reports 20, no. 4 (2024): 59. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2024.1747