dysregulated

Dysregulated is an adjective used in biology, medicine, and everyday language to describe a process that is not properly controlled by its regulatory mechanisms. It implies abnormal, excessive, or insufficient activity that deviates from a normal range, signaling instability or dysfunction within a system.

In biology, dysregulation can occur at molecular, cellular, organ, or system levels. Examples include dysregulated gene expression due to genetic or epigenetic changes; energy and metabolite imbalance such as insulin resistance; and dysregulated signaling pathways that promote cancer, inflammation, or neurodegeneration. The immune system and endocrine axes are common targets of dysregulation, with consequences ranging from increased vulnerability to disease to chronic inflammatory states.

In psychology, emotional or behavioral dysregulation refers to difficulty modulating mood, impulses, or behavior in response to stress. It features in several mental health conditions, including mood disorders, borderline personality disorder, and ADHD.

Causes include genetic predisposition, environmental stress, aging, infection, and disruption of feedback control. Consequences range from subclinical symptoms to serious disease, depending on the system and context.

Measurement uses biomarkers, functional assays, or network analysis of regulatory systems. Treatments aim to restore balance by addressing underlying pathways, improving regulation, or implementing lifestyle changes to support stability.

See also: homeostasis, allostasis, regulation, dysregulation.