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Rasia-Filho AA, Calcagnotto ME, von Bohlen Und Halbach O. Glial Cell Modulation of Dendritic Spine Structure and Synaptic Function. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 34:255-310. [PMID: 37962798 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-36159-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Glia comprise a heterogeneous group of cells involved in the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system. Glial cells are found from invertebrates to humans with morphological specializations related to the neural circuits in which they are embedded. Glial cells modulate neuronal functions, brain wiring and myelination, and information processing. For example, astrocytes send processes to the synaptic cleft, actively participate in the metabolism of neurotransmitters, and release gliotransmitters, whose multiple effects depend on the targeting cells. Human astrocytes are larger and more complex than their mice and rats counterparts. Astrocytes and microglia participate in the development and plasticity of neural circuits by modulating dendritic spines. Spines enhance neuronal connectivity, integrate most postsynaptic excitatory potentials, and balance the strength of each input. Not all central synapses are engulfed by astrocytic processes. When that relationship occurs, a different pattern for thin and large spines reflects an activity-dependent remodeling of motile astrocytic processes around presynaptic and postsynaptic elements. Microglia are equally relevant for synaptic processing, and both glial cells modulate the switch of neuroendocrine secretion and behavioral display needed for reproduction. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the structure, function, and plasticity of glial cells and relate them to synaptic maturation and modulation, also involving neurotrophic factors. Together, neurons and glia coordinate synaptic transmission in both normal and abnormal conditions. Neglected over decades, this exciting research field can unravel the complexity of species-specific neural cytoarchitecture as well as the dynamic region-specific functional interactions between diverse neurons and glial subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto A Rasia-Filho
- Department of Basic Sciences/Physiology and Graduate Program in Biosciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Elisa Calcagnotto
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Lenschow C, Mendes ARP, Lima SQ. Hearing, touching, and multisensory integration during mate choice. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:943888. [PMID: 36247731 PMCID: PMC9559228 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.943888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mate choice is a potent generator of diversity and a fundamental pillar for sexual selection and evolution. Mate choice is a multistage affair, where complex sensory information and elaborate actions are used to identify, scrutinize, and evaluate potential mating partners. While widely accepted that communication during mate assessment relies on multimodal cues, most studies investigating the mechanisms controlling this fundamental behavior have restricted their focus to the dominant sensory modality used by the species under examination, such as vision in humans and smell in rodents. However, despite their undeniable importance for the initial recognition, attraction, and approach towards a potential mate, other modalities gain relevance as the interaction progresses, amongst which are touch and audition. In this review, we will: (1) focus on recent findings of how touch and audition can contribute to the evaluation and choice of mating partners, and (2) outline our current knowledge regarding the neuronal circuits processing touch and audition (amongst others) in the context of mate choice and ask (3) how these neural circuits are connected to areas that have been studied in the light of multisensory integration.
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Adekunbi DA, Li XF, Lass G, Shetty K, Adegoke OA, Yeo SH, Colledge WH, Lightman SL, O'Byrne KT. Kisspeptin neurones in the posterodorsal medial amygdala modulate sexual partner preference and anxiety in male mice. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30:e12572. [PMID: 29356147 PMCID: PMC5873280 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) is a neural site in the limbic brain involved in regulating emotional and sexual behaviours. There is, however, limited information available on the specific neuronal cell type in the MePD functionally mediating these behaviours in rodents. The recent discovery of a significant kisspeptin neurone population in the MePD has raised interest in the possible role of kisspeptin and its cognate receptor in sexual behaviour. The present study therefore tested the hypothesis that the MePD kisspeptin neurone population is involved in regulating attraction towards opposite sex conspecifics, sexual behaviour, social interaction and the anxiety response by selectively stimulating these neurones using the novel pharmacosynthetic DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) technique. Adult male Kiss-Cre mice received bilateral stereotaxic injections of a stimulatory DREADD viral construct (AAV-hSyn-DIO-hM3 D(Gq)-mCherry) targeted to the MePD, with subsequent activation by i.p. injection of clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). Socio-sexual behaviours were assessed in a counter-balanced fashion after i.p. injection of either saline or CNO (5 mg kg-1 ). Selective activation of MePD kisspeptin neurones by CNO significantly increased the time spent by male mice in investigating an oestrous female, as well as the duration of social interaction. Additionally, after CNO injection, the mice appeared less anxious, as indicated by a longer exploratory time in the open arms of the elevated plus maze. However, levels of copulatory behaviour were comparable between CNO and saline-treated controls. These data indicate that DREADD-induced activation of MePD kisspeptin neurones enhances both sexual partner preference in males and social interaction and also decreases anxiety, suggesting a key role played by MePD kisspeptin in sexual motivation and social behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. A. Adekunbi
- Division of Women's HealthFaculty of Life Sciences and MedicineKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Department of PhysiologyCollege of MedicineUniversity of LagosLagosNigeria
| | - X. F. Li
- Division of Women's HealthFaculty of Life Sciences and MedicineKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - G. Lass
- Division of Women's HealthFaculty of Life Sciences and MedicineKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - K. Shetty
- Division of Women's HealthFaculty of Life Sciences and MedicineKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - O. A. Adegoke
- Department of PhysiologyCollege of MedicineUniversity of LagosLagosNigeria
| | - S. H. Yeo
- Reproductive Physiology GroupDepartment of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - W. H. Colledge
- Reproductive Physiology GroupDepartment of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - S. L. Lightman
- Henry Wellcome Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience and EndocrinologyUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - K. T. O'Byrne
- Division of Women's HealthFaculty of Life Sciences and MedicineKing's College LondonLondonUK
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Li XF, Hu MH, Hanley BP, Lin YS, Poston L, Lightman SL, O'Byrne KT. The Posterodorsal Medial Amygdala Regulates the Timing of Puberty Onset in Female Rats. Endocrinology 2015; 156:3725-36. [PMID: 26252061 PMCID: PMC4588820 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is the major risk factor for early puberty, but emerging evidence indicates other factors including psychosocial stress. One key brain region notable for its role in controlling calorie intake, stress, and behavior is the amygdala. Early studies involving amygdala lesions that included the medial nucleus advanced puberty in rats. More recently it was shown that a critical site for lesion-induced hyperphagia and obesity is the posterodorsal subnucleus of the medial amygdala (MePD), which may explain the advancement of puberty. Glutamatergic activity also increases in the MePD during puberty without a corresponding γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic change, suggesting an overall activation of this brain region. In the present study, we report that neurotoxic lesioning of the MePD advances puberty and increases weight gain in female rats fed a normal diet. However, MePD lesioned rats fed a 25% nonnutritive bulk diet also showed the dramatic advancement of puberty but without the increase in body weight. In both dietary groups, MePD lesions resulted in an increase in socialization and a decrease in play fighting behavior. Chronic GABAA receptor antagonism in the MePD from postnatal day 21 for 14 days also advanced puberty, increased socialization, and decreased play fighting without altering body weight, whereas glutamate receptor antagonism delayed puberty and decreased socialization without affecting play fighting. In conclusion, our results suggest the MePD regulates the timing of puberty via a novel mechanism independent of change in body weight and caloric intake. MePD glutamatergic systems advance the timing of puberty whereas local GABAergic activation results in a delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- X F Li
- Division of Women's Health (X.F.L., M.H.L., B.P.H., Y.S.L., L.P., K.T.O.), Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom; and Henry Wellcome Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology (S.L.L.), University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, United Kingdom
| | - M H Hu
- Division of Women's Health (X.F.L., M.H.L., B.P.H., Y.S.L., L.P., K.T.O.), Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom; and Henry Wellcome Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology (S.L.L.), University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, United Kingdom
| | - B P Hanley
- Division of Women's Health (X.F.L., M.H.L., B.P.H., Y.S.L., L.P., K.T.O.), Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom; and Henry Wellcome Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology (S.L.L.), University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, United Kingdom
| | - Y S Lin
- Division of Women's Health (X.F.L., M.H.L., B.P.H., Y.S.L., L.P., K.T.O.), Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom; and Henry Wellcome Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology (S.L.L.), University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, United Kingdom
| | - L Poston
- Division of Women's Health (X.F.L., M.H.L., B.P.H., Y.S.L., L.P., K.T.O.), Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom; and Henry Wellcome Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology (S.L.L.), University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, United Kingdom
| | - S L Lightman
- Division of Women's Health (X.F.L., M.H.L., B.P.H., Y.S.L., L.P., K.T.O.), Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom; and Henry Wellcome Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology (S.L.L.), University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, United Kingdom
| | - K T O'Byrne
- Division of Women's Health (X.F.L., M.H.L., B.P.H., Y.S.L., L.P., K.T.O.), Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom; and Henry Wellcome Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology (S.L.L.), University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, United Kingdom
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Zancan M, Dall'Oglio A, Sarzenski TM, Maher MI, Garcia-Segura LM, Rasia-Filho AA. Glial and axonal perikaryal coverage and somatic spines in the posterodorsal medial amygdala of male and cycling female rats. J Comp Neurol 2015; 523:2127-37. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.23782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2014] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Zancan
- DCBS-Physiology, Federal University of Health Sciences; Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90050-110 Brazil
| | - Aline Dall'Oglio
- DCBS-Physiology, Federal University of Health Sciences; Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90050-110 Brazil
| | - Taís Malysz Sarzenski
- ICBS-Anatomy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90050-110 Brazil
| | - Martin Ian Maher
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC); 28002 Madrid Spain
| | | | - Alberto A. Rasia-Filho
- DCBS-Physiology, Federal University of Health Sciences; Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90050-110 Brazil
- Graduation Program in Neurosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90050-110 Brazil
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Brusco J, Merlo S, Ikeda ÉT, Petralia RS, Kachar B, Rasia-Filho AA, Moreira JE. Inhibitory and multisynaptic spines, and hemispherical synaptic specialization in the posterodorsal medial amygdala of male and female rats. J Comp Neurol 2015; 522:2075-88. [PMID: 24318545 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Revised: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The density of dendritic spines is sexually dimorphic and variable throughout the female estrous cycle in the rat posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD), a relevant area for the modulation of reproductive behavior in rats. The local synaptic activity differs between hemispheres in prepubertal animals. Here we used serial section transmission electron microscopy to produce 3D reconstructions of dendritic shafts and spines to characterize synaptic contacts on MePD neurons of both hemispheres in adult males and in females along the estrous cycle. Pleomorphic spines and nonsynaptic filopodia occur in the MePD. On average, 8.6% of dendritic spines received inputs from symmetric gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-immunoreactive terminals, whereas 3.6% received two synaptic contacts on the spine head, neck, or base. Presynaptic terminals in female right MePD had a higher density of synaptic vesicles and docked vesicles than the left MePD, suggesting a higher rate of synaptic vesicle release in the right MePD of female rats. In contrast, males did not show laterality in any of those parameters. The proportion of putative inhibitory synapses on dendritic shafts in the right MePD of females in proestrus was higher than in the left MePD, and higher than in the right MePD in males, or in females in diestrus or estrus. This work shows synaptic laterality depending on sex and estrous cycle phase in mature MePD neurons. Most likely, sexual hormone effects are lateralized in this brain region, leading to higher synaptic activity in the right than in the left hemisphere of females, mediating timely neuroendocrine and social/reproductive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janaina Brusco
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, University of São Paulo, School of Medicine at Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil; National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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Georgescu M, Afonso VM, Graham MD, Pfaus JG. Glutamate release in the ventromedial hypothalamus of the female rat during copulation: modulation by estradiol. Horm Behav 2014; 65:119-26. [PMID: 24333845 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2013] [Revised: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Binding of glutamate or its ionotropic receptor agonists in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) of female rats inhibits both appetitive and consummatory aspects of sexual behavior. Because vaginocervical stimulation activates glutamate neurons in the VMH, and administration of estradiol benzoate (EB) and progesterone (P) delays this effect, the present study examined the effects of hormonal priming on glutamate release within the VMH of female rats paired with sexually vigorous males. Ovariectomized, sexually experienced rats were implanted with guide cannula aimed at the ventrolateral VMH, through which microdialysis probes were inserted prior to testing. Females were assigned randomly to one of three hormone treatment conditions: EB+P, EB alone, or the oil vehicle. Testing was conducted over 5h, including a 120-min period of habituation to the testing chamber, a 60-min period of baseline sample collection, and a 120-min period during which a sexually vigorous male was introduced into the testing chamber. Dialysates were collected every 20min during the test and were analyzed for glutamate using HPLC. Females primed with oil had large and significant increases in glutamate release from baseline once the male was introduced to the chamber. Treatment with EB alone decreased glutamate release in response to male cues. Although treatment with EB+P did not differ significantly from EB alone, the degree of reduced glutamate release was less than with EB alone. These results indicate that priming with EB reduces glutamate transmission in the VMH in response to male cues. Taken together with our previous findings, estradiol blunts the activation of glutamate neurons in the VMH thus allowing female rats to copulate.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Georgescu
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - V M Afonso
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - M D Graham
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - J G Pfaus
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada.
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Descriptive findings on the morphology of dendritic spines in the rat medial amygdala. Neurosci Lett 2010; 483:152-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2010.07.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2010] [Revised: 07/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/28/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Arpini M, Menezes IC, Dall’Oglio A, Rasia-Filho AA. The density of Golgi-impregnated dendritic spines from adult rat posterodorsal medial amygdala neurons displays no evidence of hemispheric or dorsal/ventral differences. Neurosci Lett 2010; 469:209-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.11.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2009] [Revised: 11/24/2009] [Accepted: 11/25/2009] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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de Castilhos J, Hermel EES, Rasia-Filho AA, Achaval M. Influence of substitutive ovarian steroids in the nuclear and cell body volumes of neurons in the posterodorsal medial amygdala of adult ovariectomized female rats. Neurosci Lett 2009; 469:19-23. [PMID: 19925848 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2009] [Revised: 11/12/2009] [Accepted: 11/12/2009] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The volumes of the neuronal nucleus and the cell body in the left posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) of adult ovariectomized (OVX) female rats submitted to different hormonal therapies were studied here, aiming to reveal possible influence of substitutive sex steroids in these morphological parameters. One week following ovariectomy and at the end of treatments, brains were cut to semi-thin sections (1 microm) and stained with 1% toluidine blue for stereological estimations, carried out using the Cavalieri method and the technique of point counting. Both the volume of the neuronal nucleus and the soma showed a statistically significant difference when comparing the data among OVX females treated with vehicle (V), estradiol (EB) alone, EB plus progesterone (EB+P) or P alone [n=5 rats in each group; one-way ANOVA test, P<0.01 in both cases]. The Tukey test showed that OVX and EB+P treated females had higher mean neuronal nucleus and somatic volumes when compared to V (P<0.01) or EB alone (P<0.01). Also, OVX females treated with P alone showed larger mean neuronal nucleus and somatic volumes when compared to V (P<0.05). These results suggest that the neuronal nucleus and the somatic volumes can be modulated by substitutive ovarian hormones administered to OVX females, for which P can lead to higher results. These findings reveal additional epigenetic actions of the sex steroids in the MePD and new neuronal morphological features in adult female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana de Castilhos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Fisiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul/ICBS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Mendoza-Rodríguez CA, Martínez MA, Vargas O, Nava K, Morimoto S, Espinosa M, Cerbón M. Mating modifies apoptosis pattern in epithelial cells of the rat uterus. Mol Reprod Dev 2009; 76:564-72. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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de Castilhos J, Forti CD, Achaval M, Rasia-Filho AA. Dendritic spine density of posterodorsal medial amygdala neurons can be affected by gonadectomy and sex steroid manipulations in adult rats: A Golgi study. Brain Res 2008; 1240:73-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2008] [Revised: 08/21/2008] [Accepted: 09/01/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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