"About a dozen years ago, scientists discovered that a hormone called ghrelin enhances appetite. Dubbed the "hunger hormone," ghrelin was quickly targeted by drug companies seeking treatments for obesity—none of which have yet panned out.
"MIT neuroscientists have now discovered that ghrelin's role goes far beyond controlling hunger. The researchers found that ghrelin released during chronic stress makes the brain more vulnerable to traumatic events, suggesting that it may predispose people to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)....
"Working with researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, Goosens' lab is now planning to study ghrelin levels in human patients suffering from anxiety and fear disorders. They are also planning a clinical trial of a drug that blocks ghrelin to see if it can prevent relapse of depression."
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-10-ghrelin-stressful-situations-primes-brain.html
Meyer, et al. (Oct. 15, 2013) "A ghrelin–growth hormone axis drives stress-induced vulnerability to enhanced fear Open." Mol Psychiatry. Full text.
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