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Mawson ER, Morris BJ. A consideration of the increased risk of schizophrenia due to prenatal maternal stress, and the possible role of microglia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 125:110773. [PMID: 37116354 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is caused by interaction of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Of the latter, prenatal exposure to maternal stress is reportedly associated with elevated disease risk. The main orchestrators of inflammatory processes within the brain are microglia, and aberrant microglial activation/function has been proposed to contribute to the aetiology of schizophrenia. Here, we evaluate the epidemiological and preclinical evidence connecting prenatal stress to schizophrenia risk, and consider the possible mediating role of microglia in the prenatal stress-schizophrenia relationship. Epidemiological findings are rather consistent in supporting the association, albeit they are mitigated by effects of sex and gestational timing, while the evidence for microglial activation is more variable. Rodent models of prenatal stress generally report lasting effects on offspring neurobiology. However, many uncertainties remain as to the mechanisms underlying the influence of maternal stress on the developing foetal brain. Future studies should aim to characterise the exact processes mediating this aspect of schizophrenia risk, as well as focussing on how prenatal stress may interact with other risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor R Mawson
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Brian J Morris
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
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2
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Moghanlou AE, Yazdanian M, Roshani S, Demirli A, Seydyousefi M, Metz GAS, Faghfoori Z. Neuroprotective effects of pre-ischemic exercise are linked to expression of NT-3/NT-4 and TrkB/TrkC in rats. Brain Res Bull 2023; 194:54-63. [PMID: 36646145 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Stroke causes irreversible damage, particularly to the hippocampus. Evidence suggests that exercise training may mitigate adverse structural and functional consequences of an ischemic lesion in the brain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of preconditioning exercise on expression of neurotrophic factor genes and proteins in hippocampalCA1 region and their relationship with sensorimotor recovery following global ischemia/reperfusion (Is/Re) injury in a rat model of stroke. METHODS Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to Exercise+Ischemia/Reperfusion (Ex+Is/Re),Control+Ischemia/Reperfusion (Co+Is/Re), and Sham treatments. Rats in the exercise groups ran on a treadmill for 45 min/d for five days/week for 8 consecutive weeks prior to Is/Re lesion.Ischemia was induced by common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO). The ladder rung walking task was used to assess functional impairments and recovery following ischemic lesion.Tissue from hippocampal area CA1 was inspected for ischemia-induced cell loss and gene and protein expression linked to neurotrophins NT-3, NT-4, and their receptorsTrkB and TrkC. RESULTS CCAO caused hippocampal cell death in CA1 and resulted in significant sensori motor impairments in the ladder rung walking task. In contrast, pre-ischemic exercise considerably reduced cell death and supported sensorimotor recovery following CCAO.In addition, NT-3, NT-4,TrkB and TrkC gene expression and their protein levels were significantly increased inthe Ex+Is/Re group compared to Co+Is/Re (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The findings showed that pre-ischemic exercise can exert neuroprotective effects via NT-3 and NT-4 pathways against ischemia in hippocampal CA1 neurons and promote post-injury sensorimotor recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sajad Roshani
- Department of Exercise Physiology and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Sport Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Abdullah Demirli
- Department of Coaching Education, Istanbul Esenyurt University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehdi Seydyousefi
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Bojnourd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd, Iran
| | - Gerlinde A S Metz
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Zeinab Faghfoori
- Food Safety Research Center (Salt), Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Kim HY, Back DB, Choi BR, Choi DH, Kwon KJ. Rodent Models of Post-Stroke Dementia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810750. [PMID: 36142661 PMCID: PMC9501431 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-stroke cognitive impairment is one of the most common complications in stroke survivors. Concomitant vascular risk factors, including aging, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or underlying pathologic conditions, such as chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, white matter hyperintensities, or Alzheimer’s disease pathology, can predispose patients to develop post-stroke dementia (PSD). Given the various clinical conditions associated with PSD, a single animal model for PSD is not possible. Animal models of PSD that consider these diverse clinical situations have not been well-studied. In this literature review, diverse rodent models that simulate the various clinical conditions of PSD have been evaluated. Heterogeneous rodent models of PSD are classified into the following categories: surgical technique, special structure, and comorbid condition. The characteristics of individual models and their clinical significance are discussed in detail. Diverse rodent models mimicking the specific pathomechanisms of PSD could provide effective animal platforms for future studies investigating the characteristics and pathophysiology of PSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hahn Young Kim
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120-1 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05030, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2030-7563; Fax: +82-2-2030-5169
| | - Dong Bin Back
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120-1 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05030, Korea
| | - Bo-Ryoung Choi
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120-1 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05030, Korea
| | - Dong-Hee Choi
- Department of Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05030, Korea
| | - Kyoung Ja Kwon
- Department of Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05030, Korea
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4
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Faraji J, Ambeskovic M, Sauter N, Toly J, Whitten K, Lopes NA, Olson DM, Metz GAS. Sex-specific stress and biobehavioral responses to human experimenters in rats. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:965500. [PMID: 35937894 PMCID: PMC9354940 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.965500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Important factors influencing the outcome of animal experiments in preclinical research are often overlooked. In the current study, the reaction of female and male rats toward the biological sex of a human experimenter was investigated in terms of anxiety-like behaviors and physiological stress responses, as measured by infrared (IR) thermography, circulating corticosterone (CORT) and oxytocin levels. Female rats displayed consistently exacerbated anxiety-related behaviors along with elevated body surface temperature during repeated exposure to male experimenters. Experimental stress further intensified thermal responses to a male experimenter, especially in female rats. The behavioral responses to a male experimenter in females were associated with higher circulating CORT and lower oxytocin levels. Similar responses were induced by a T-shirt worn by a human male. The findings suggest that psychophysiological responses of female rats to a male experimenter are influenced by both visual and olfactory cues. The results emphasize the need to not only consider sex differences in experimental animals, but also standardize and report the experimenter’s biological sex to avoid ambiguity in the generation and interpretation of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamshid Faraji
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Jamshid Faraji,
| | - Mirela Ambeskovic
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Nevyn Sauter
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Jaxson Toly
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Kera Whitten
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Nayara Antunes Lopes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - David M. Olson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gerlinde A. S. Metz
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Southern Alberta Genome Sciences Centre, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
- Gerlinde A. S. Metz,
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5
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Neurobiological Links between Stress, Brain Injury, and Disease. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:8111022. [PMID: 35663199 PMCID: PMC9159819 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8111022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Stress, which refers to a combination of physiological, neuroendocrine, behavioral, and emotional responses to novel or threatening stimuli, is essentially a defensive adaptation under physiological conditions. However, strong and long-lasting stress can lead to psychological and pathological damage. Growing evidence suggests that patients suffering from mild and moderate brain injuries and diseases often show severe neurological dysfunction and experience severe and persistent stressful events or environmental stimuli, whether in the acute, subacute, or recovery stage. Previous studies have shown that stress has a remarkable influence on key brain regions and brain diseases. The mechanisms through which stress affects the brain are diverse, including activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), apoptosis, oxidative stress, and excitatory/inhibitory neuron imbalance, and may lead to behavioral and cognitive deficits. The impact of stress on brain diseases is complex and involves impediment of recovery, aggravation of cognitive impairment, and neurodegeneration. This review summarizes various stress models and their applications and then discusses the effects and mechanisms of stress on key brain regions—including the hippocampus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex—and in brain injuries and diseases—including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and epilepsy. Lastly, this review highlights psychological interventions and potential therapeutic targets for patients with brain injuries and diseases who experience severe and persistent stressful events.
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Faraji J, Lotfi H, Moharrerie A, Jafari SY, Soltanpour N, Tamannaiee R, Marjani K, Roudaki S, Naseri F, Moeeini R, Metz GAS. Regional Differences in BDNF Expression and Behavior as a Function of Sex and Enrichment Type: Oxytocin Matters. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:2985-2999. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The early environment is critical to brain development, but the relative contribution of physical versus social stimulation is unclear. Here, we investigated in male and female rats the response to early physical and social environmental enrichment in relation to oxytocin (OT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. The findings show that males and females respond differently to prolonged sensorimotor stimulation from postnatal days 21–110 in terms of functional, structural, and molecular changes in the hippocampus versus medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Physical enrichment promoted motor and cognitive functions and hippocampal BDNF mRNA and protein expression in both sexes. Combined physical and social enrichment, however, promoted functional and structural gain in females. These changes were accompanied by elevated plasma oxytocin (OT) levels and BDNF mRNA expression in the mPFC, while the hippocampus was not affected. Administration of an OT antagonist in females blocked the beneficial effects of enrichment and led to reduced cortical BDNF signaling. These findings suggest that an OT-based mechanism selectively stimulates a region-specific BDNF response which is dependent on the type of experience.
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7
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Faraji J, Metz GAS. Infrared Thermography Reveals Sex-Specific Responses to Stress in Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:79. [PMID: 32523518 PMCID: PMC7261839 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychogenic hyperthermia is a stress-related condition reported mostly in women. Neuroendocrine responses to stress in females differ from those in males, and these differences cannot be explained solely based on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Here, we used infrared (IR) thermographic imaging to record changes in cutaneous temperature following two types of stressful experiences in female and male mice. Mice were exposed to either single-session restraint stress or vertical exploration (rearing) deprivation and were monitored for exploratory activity and IR surface thermal changes. Females displayed higher rearing activity than males during the dark phase of the light cycle. Both sexes showed similar plasma corticosterone (CORT) responses after a challenge with restraint and rearing deprivation. However, only females responded to rearing deprivation with increased cutaneous temperature in the head and back, and a reduced thermal response in the tail. Circulating CORT levels were not correlated with the thermal variations. These findings, for the first time, provide evidence for sex-specific cutaneous thermal responses to short-term stress in mice following transient vertical-activity deprivation that may mimic clinical psychogenic hyperthermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamshid Faraji
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.,Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Gerlinde A S Metz
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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8
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Physical and cognitive training attenuate hippocampal ischemia-induced memory impairments in rat. Brain Res Bull 2020; 155:202-210. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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9
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Anderson GS, Di Nota PM, Metz GAS, Andersen JP. The Impact of Acute Stress Physiology on Skilled Motor Performance: Implications for Policing. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2501. [PMID: 31781001 PMCID: PMC6856650 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigations of police performance during acutely stressful situations have primarily focused on higher-order cognitive processes like attention, affect or emotion and decision-making, and the behavioral outcomes of these processes, such as errors in lethal force. However, behavioral outcomes in policing must be understood as a combination of both higher-order processes and the physical execution of motor skills. What is missing from extant police literature is an understanding of how physiological responses to acute stress contribute to observed decrements in skilled motor performance at the neuromuscular level. The purpose of the current paper is to fill this knowledge gap in the following ways: (1) review scientific evidence for the physiological (i.e., autonomic, endocrine, and musculoskeletal) responses to acutely stressful exposures and their influence on skilled motor performance in both human and animal models, (2) review applied evidence on occupationally relevant stress physiology and observed motor decrements in performance among police, and (3) discuss the implications of stress physiology for police training and identify future directions for applied researchers. Evidence is compelling that skill decay is inevitable under high levels of acute stress; however, robust evidence-informed training practices can help mitigate this decay and contribute to officer safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Anderson
- Office of Applied Research and Graduate Studies, Justice Institute of British Columbia, New Westminster, BC, Canada
| | - P M Di Nota
- Office of Applied Research and Graduate Studies, Justice Institute of British Columbia, New Westminster, BC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - G A S Metz
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - J P Andersen
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
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10
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Zalewska K, Pietrogrande G, Ong LK, Abdolhoseini M, Kluge M, Johnson SJ, Walker FR, Nilsson M. Sustained administration of corticosterone at stress-like levels after stroke suppressed glial reactivity at sites of thalamic secondary neurodegeneration. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 69:210-222. [PMID: 29162554 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Secondary neurodegeneration (SND) is an insidious and progressive condition involving the death of neurons in regions of the brain that were connected to but undamaged by the initial stroke. Our group have published compelling evidence that exposure to psychological stress can significantly exacerbate the severity SND, a finding that has considerable clinical implications given that stroke-survivors often report experiencing high and unremitting levels of psychological stress. It may be possible to use one or more targeted pharmacological approaches to limit the negative effects of stress on the recovery process but in order to move forward with this approach the most critical stress signals have to be identified. Accordingly, in the current study we have directed our attention to examining the potential effects of corticosterone, delivered orally at stress-like levels. Our interest is to determine how similar the effects of corticosterone are to stress on repair and remodelling that is known to occur after stroke. The study involved 4 groups, sham and stroke, either administered corticosterone or normal drinking water. The functional impact was assessed using the cylinder task for paw asymmetry, grid walk for sensorimotor function, inverted grid for muscle strength and coordination and open field for anxiety-like behaviour. Biochemically and histologically, we considered disturbances in main cellular elements of the neurovascular unit, including microglia, astrocytes, neurons and blood vessels using both immunohistochemistry and western blotting. In short, we identified that corticosterone delivery after stroke results in significant suppression of key microglial and astroglial markers. No changes were observed on the vasculature and in neuronal specific markers. No changes were identified for sensorimotor function or anxiety-like behaviour. We did, however, observe a significant change in motor function as assessed using the inverted grid walk test. Collectively, these results suggest that pharmacologically targeting corticosterone levels in the future may be warranted but that such an approach is unlikely to limit all the negative effects associated with exposure to chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Zalewska
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Giovanni Pietrogrande
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Lin Kooi Ong
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Australia
| | - Mahmoud Abdolhoseini
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Murielle Kluge
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah J Johnson
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Frederick R Walker
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Australia.
| | - Michael Nilsson
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Australia
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Faraji J, Soltanpour N, Lotfi H, Moeeini R, Moharreri AR, Roudaki S, Hosseini SA, Olson DM, Abdollahi AA, Soltanpour N, Mohajerani MH, Metz GAS. Lack of Social Support Raises Stress Vulnerability in Rats with a History of Ancestral Stress. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5277. [PMID: 28706188 PMCID: PMC5509705 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05440-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is a primary risk factor for psychiatric disorders. However, it is not fully understood why some stressed individuals are more vulnerable to psychiatric disorders than others. Here, we investigated whether multigenerational ancestral stress produces phenotypes that are sensitive to depression-like symptoms in rats. We also examined whether social isolation reveals potentially latent sensitivity to depression-like behaviours. F4 female rats born to a lineage of stressed mothers (F0-F3) received stress in adulthood while housed in pairs or alone. Social isolation during stress induced cognitive and psychomotor retardation only in rats exposed to ancestral stress. Social isolation also hampered the resilience of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to chronic stress and reduced hippocampal volume and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. Thus, synergy between social isolation and stress may unmask a latent history of ancestral stress, and raises vulnerability to mental health conditions. The findings support the notion that social support critically promotes stress coping and resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamshid Faraji
- Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Gorgan, I. R. of Iran.
- University of Lethbridge, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Lethbridge, Canada.
| | - Nabiollah Soltanpour
- Babol University of Medical Sciences, Department of Anatomical Sciences, Babol, I. R. of Iran
| | - Hamid Lotfi
- Islamic Azad University, Department of Psychology, Tonekabon Branch, Tonekabon, I. R. of Iran
| | - Reza Moeeini
- Avicenna Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Behavioural Studies, Yazd, I. R. of Iran
| | - Ali-Reza Moharreri
- Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Anatomy, Gorgan, I. R. of Iran
| | - Shabnam Roudaki
- Avicenna Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Behavioural Studies, Yazd, I. R. of Iran
| | - S Abedin Hosseini
- Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Gorgan, I. R. of Iran
| | - David M Olson
- University of Alberta, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Ali-Akbar Abdollahi
- Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Gorgan, I. R. of Iran
| | - Nasrin Soltanpour
- University of Lethbridge, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Lethbridge, Canada
| | - Majid H Mohajerani
- University of Lethbridge, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Lethbridge, Canada
| | - Gerlinde A S Metz
- University of Lethbridge, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Lethbridge, Canada
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12
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Zalewska K, Ong LK, Johnson SJ, Nilsson M, Walker FR. Oral administration of corticosterone at stress-like levels drives microglial but not vascular disturbances post-stroke. Neuroscience 2017; 352:30-38. [PMID: 28288898 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to chronic stress following stroke has been shown, both clinically and pre-clinically, to impact negatively on the recovery process. While this phenomenon is well established, the specific mechanisms involved have remained largely unexplored. One obvious signaling pathway through which chronic stress may impact on the recovery process is via corticosterone, and its effects on microglial activity and vascular remodeling. In the current study, we were interested in examining how orally delivered corticosterone at a stress-like concentration impacted on microglial activity and vascular remodeling after stroke. We identified that corticosterone administration for two weeks following stroke significantly increased tissue loss and decreased the weight of the spleen and thymus. We also identified that corticosterone administration significantly altered the expression of the key microglial complement receptor, CD11b after stroke. Corticosterone administration did not alter the expression of the vessel basement membrane protein, Collagen IV after stroke. Together, these results suggest that corticosterone is likely to represent only one of the major stress signals responsible for driving the negative impacts of chronic stress on recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Zalewska
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Lin Kooi Ong
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah J Johnson
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Nilsson
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Frederick R Walker
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.
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13
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Barra de la Tremblaye P, Plamondon H. Alterations in the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurocircuitry: Insights into post stroke functional impairments. Front Neuroendocrinol 2016; 42:53-75. [PMID: 27455847 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Although it is well accepted that changes in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis may increase susceptibility to affective disorders in the general population, this link has been less examined in stroke patients. Yet, the bidirectional association between depression and cardiovascular disease is strong, and stress increases vulnerability to stroke. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is the central stress hormone of the HPA axis pathway and acts by binding to CRH receptors (CRHR) 1 and 2, which are located in several stress-related brain regions. Evidence from clinical and animal studies suggests a role for CRH in the neurobiological basis of depression and ischemic brain injury. Given its importance in the regulation of the neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral correlates of adaptation and maladaptation to stress, CRH is likely associated in the pathophysiology of post stroke emotional impairments. The goals of this review article are to examine the clinical and experimental data describing (1) that CRH regulates the molecular signaling brain circuit underlying anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, (2) the influence of CRH and other stress markers in the pathophysiology of post stroke emotional and cognitive impairments, and (3) context and site specific interactions of CRH and BDNF as a basis for the development of novel therapeutic targets. This review addresses how the production and release of the neuropeptide CRH within the various regions of the mesocorticolimbic system influences emotional and cognitive behaviors with a look into its role in psychiatric disorders post stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Barra de la Tremblaye
- School of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier Building, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - H Plamondon
- School of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier Building, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada.
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Gram MG, Wogensen E, Wörtwein G, Mogensen J, Malá H. Delayed restraint procedure enhances cognitive recovery of spatial function after fimbria-fornix transection. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2015; 34:1-17. [PMID: 26518669 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-140396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To i) evaluate the effect of a restraint procedure (7 days, 2 h/day) on place learning after fimbria-fornix transection (FF), ii) investigate effects of early vs. late administration of restraint, and iii) establish effects of the restraint procedure on expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. METHODS Fifty rats subjected to FF or sham surgery and divided into groups exposed to restraint immediately (early restraint) or 21 days (late restraint) after surgery were trained to acquire an allocentric place learning task. In parallel, 29 animals were subjected to FF or sham surgery and an identical restraint procedure in order to measure concentrations of BDNF and corticosterone. RESULTS The performance of the sham operated rats was positively affected by the late restraint. In FF-lesioned animals, the late restraint significantly improved task performance compared to the lesioned group with no restraint, while the early restraint was associated with a negative impact on task acquisition. Biochemical analysis after restraint procedure revealed a lesion-induced upregulation of BDNF in FF animals. CONCLUSIONS The improved task performance of lesioned animals suggests a therapeutic effect of this manipulation, independent of BDNF. This effect is sensitive to the temporal administration of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Gajhede Gram
- The Unit for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elise Wogensen
- The Unit for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gitta Wörtwein
- Laboratory of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Mogensen
- The Unit for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hana Malá
- The Unit for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Henrich-Noack P. Please keep calm: investigating hippocampal function without stress. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:356. [PMID: 25352795 PMCID: PMC4195314 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Petra Henrich-Noack
- Neurobiology Group, Institute of Medical Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg Magdeburg, Germany
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16
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Faraji J, Soltanpour N, Moeeini R, Roudaki S, Soltanpour N, Abdollahi AA, Metz GAS. Topographical disorientation after ischemic mini infarct in the dorsal hippocampus: whispers in silence. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:261. [PMID: 25136299 PMCID: PMC4120695 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Silent focal ischemic mini infarcts in the brain are thought to cause no clinically overt symptoms. Some populations of hippocampal cells are particularly sensitive to ischemic events, however, rendering hippocampal functions especially vulnerable to ischemia-induced deficits. The present study investigated whether an otherwise silent ischemic mini infarct in the hippocampus (HPC) can produce impairments in spatial performance in rats. Spatial performance was assessed in the ziggurat task (ZT) using a 10-trial spatial learning protocol for 4 days prior to undergoing hippocampal ischemic lesion or sham surgery. Hippocampal silent ischemia was induced by infusion of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor, into either the dorsal or the ventral hippocampus (dHPC and vHPC). When tested postoperatively in the ZT using a standard testing protocol for 8 days, rats with hippocampal lesions exhibited no spatial deficit. Although spatial learning and memory in the ZT were not affected by the ET-1-induced silent ischemia, rats with dHPC stroke showed more returns when navigating the ZT as opposed to the vHPC rats. Comparison of region-specific HPC lesions in the present study indicated that dorsal hippocampal function is critically required for topographic orientation in a complex environment. Topographic disorientation as reflected by enhanced return behaviors may represent one of the earliest predictors of cognitive decline after silent ischemic insult that may be potentially traced with sensitive clinical examination in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamshid Faraji
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN), University of Lethbridge Lethbridge, AB, Canada ; Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences Gorgan, Iran
| | - Nabiollah Soltanpour
- Department of Anatomy, Biology and Molecular Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences Babol, Iran
| | - Reza Moeeini
- Department of Behavioural Studies, Avicenna Institute of Neuroscience Yazd, Iran
| | - Shabnam Roudaki
- Department of Behavioural Studies, Avicenna Institute of Neuroscience Yazd, Iran
| | - Nasrin Soltanpour
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN), University of Lethbridge Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Ali-Akbar Abdollahi
- Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences Gorgan, Iran
| | - Gerlinde A S Metz
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN), University of Lethbridge Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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Faraji J, Soltanpour N, Jafari SY, Moeeini R, Pakdel S, Moharreri A, Metz GAS. Stress inhibits psychomotor performance differently in simple and complex open field environments. Horm Behav 2014; 65:66-75. [PMID: 24316334 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2013] [Revised: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Stress affects psychomotor profiles and exploratory behavior in response to environmental features. Here we investigated psychomotor and exploratory patterns induced by stress in a simple open-field arena and a complex, multi-featured environment. Groups of rats underwent seven days of restraint stress or no-stress conditions and were individually tested in three versions of the ziggurat task (ZT) that varied according to environmental complexity. The hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis due to stress procedure was evaluated by the pre- and post-stress levels of circulating corticosterone (CORT). Horizontal activity, exploration, and motivation were measured by the number of fields entered, the time spent in the central fields, path length and speed, and stop duration. In addition, vertical exploratory behavior was measured by the times rats climbed onto ziggurats. Stress-induced psychomotor changes were indicated by reduced path length and path speed and increased duration of stops only within the complex arena of the ZT. Rats in stress groups also showed a significant decline in the vertical movements as measured by the number of climbing onto ziggurats. No stress-induced changes were revealed by the simple open-field arena. The exploratory patterns of stressed animals suggest psychomotor inhibition and reduced novelty-seeking behaviors in an environment-dependent manner. Thus, multi-featured arenas that require complex behavioral strategies are ideally suited to reveal the inhibitory effects of stress on psychomotor capabilities in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamshid Faraji
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada; Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Nabiollah Soltanpour
- Department of Anatomy, Biology and Molecular Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Seyed Yaghoob Jafari
- Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Reza Moeeini
- Avicenna Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Behavioural Studies, Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Shiva Pakdel
- Avicenna Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Behavioural Studies, Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Alireza Moharreri
- Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Anatomy, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Gerlinde A S Metz
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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Faraji J, Jafari SY, Soltanpour N, Arjang K, Soltanpour N, Moeeini R. Stress enhances return-based behaviors in Wistar rats during spatial navigation without altering spatial performance: improvement or deficit? Physiol Behav 2013; 122:163-71. [PMID: 24012698 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Revised: 07/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Stress is frequently reported to be deleterious to spatial learning and memory. However, there are many instances in which spatial performance is not affected by stress. This discrepancy observed across different studies, in addition to the animals' strain and gender, may be caused by the type of the task employed to assess stress-related behavioral changes. The present experiments set out to investigate the effects of repeated restraint stress (3h/21 days) on spatial performance within the two wet-land (Morris water task; MWT) and dry-land (the ziggurat task; ZT) tasks for spatial learning and memory in adult male Wistar rats. All rats were tested before and after stress treatment. Stressed rats gained less weight than controls. Stress also enhanced circulating corticosterone (CORT). We did not observe a deleterious effect of stress on spatial learning and memory in either of the tasks: both groups successfully performed the wet- and dry-land tasks across all spatial testing days, indicating intact spatial cognition in control and stress rats. However, daily restraint stress for 21 days significantly caused enhancement in rats' memory-dependent returns during the goal-directed investigation in the ZT. The number of returns on learning days was not affected by repeated restraint stress. Return-based spatial investigation induced by stress only on memory days in the dry-land task, not only emphasize on the task-dependent nature of stress-related alterations, it may reveal one of the silent, but arguably deleterious effects of stress on spatial memory in Wistar rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamshid Faraji
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada; Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Epigenetic programming of neurodegenerative diseases by an adverse environment. Brain Res 2012; 1444:96-111. [PMID: 22330722 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2011] [Revised: 01/13/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Experience and environment can critically influence the risk and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as miRNA expression, DNA methylation, and histone modifications, readily respond to experience and environmental factors. Here we propose that epigenetic regulation of gene expression and environmental modulation thereof may play a key role in the onset and course of common neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis. For example, epigenetic mechanisms may mediate long-term responses to adverse experience, such as stress, to affect disease susceptibility and the course of neurodegenerative events. This review introduces the epigenetic components and their possible role in mediating neuropathological processes in response to stress. We argue that epigenetic modifications will affect neurodegenerative events through altered gene function. The study of epigenetic states in neurodegenerative diseases presents an opportunity to gain new insights into risk factors and pathogenic mechanisms. Moreover, research into epigenetic regulation of disease may revolutionize health care by opening new avenues of personalized, preventive and curative medicine.
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van der Staay FJ, Gieling ET, Pinzón NE, Nordquist RE, Ohl F. The appetitively motivated “cognitive” holeboard: A family of complex spatial discrimination tasks for assessing learning and memory. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2012; 36:379-403. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2011.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2011] [Revised: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 07/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Faraji J, Sutherland RJ, Metz GA. Stress precipitates functional deficits following striatal silent stroke: A synergistic effect. Exp Neurol 2011; 232:251-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2011] [Revised: 09/03/2011] [Accepted: 09/09/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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