Editorial.

Discusses stress in humans based on studies from symposia and workshops at the 4th World Congress on Stress held in Edinburgh, Scotland in September 2002. Common theme of the studies; Identification of brain regions that are activated differently in combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder; Description of patients with HIV-1 infection on effective anti-viral therapy; Development of a treatment of stress and anxiety; Use of a V1b receptor selective non-peptide antagonist in stress and anxiety management.