C o n t e n t sEditorialJean-Paul Macher,Marc-Antoine CrocqIn this issueDavid RubinowState of the ArtProtective and damaging effects of stress mediators:central role of the brain Bruce S.McEwen (USA)Basic ResearchThe role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in neuroendocrine responses to stress Sean M.Smith,Wylie W.Vale (USA)Behavioral control,the medial prefrontal cortex,and resilience Steven F.Maier,Jose Amat,Michael V.Baratta,Evan Paul,Linda R.Watkins (USA) Angst and the amygdalaJay Schulkin (USA) Experimental models of stress Vladimir K.Patchev,Alexandre V.Patchev (Germany)Clinical ResearchGenetics of stress response and stress-related disordersMarcus Ising,Florian Holsboer (Germany)Traumatic stress:effects on the brain J.Douglas Bremner (USA) Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis modulation of GABAergic neuroactive steroids influences ethanol sensitivity anddrinking behaviorA.Leslie Morrow,Patrizia Porcu,Kevin N.Boyd,Kathleen A.Grant (USA) PosterEstrogen enhances stress-induced prefrontal cortex dysfunction:relevance to Major Depressive Disorder in women Rebecca M.Shansky,Amy F.T.Arnsten (USA)ISSUE COORDINATED BY:David Rubinow