Robust stress response does not alter cell proliferation and survival in adult rat hippocampus after acute predator stress

Lau, Catherine (2014) Robust stress response does not alter cell proliferation and survival in adult rat hippocampus after acute predator stress. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Traumatic events contribute to a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Identifying the mechanisms underlying the stress response may aid in understanding the development of, or improving treatment options for, these debilitating disorders. Neurogenesis, the production of new neurons, is known to occur in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the adult mammalian hippocampus. While the reduction in adult neurogenesis following chronic stress is largely supported, acute stress models, particularly predator stress, have yielded inconsistent results. Thus, the goal of the current study was to help elucidate the effects of predator stress on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. This study implements a single, unprotected cat exposure which produces anxiety-like behaviors and hyperarousal in rats for up to three weeks. Despite a robust stress response detected by elevated corticosterone (CORT) in predator stressed rats, predator stress had no effect on the total number of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine immunoreactive (BrdU-IR) cells in the SGZ at 2 hours or 4 weeks post-stressor. However, acoustic startle (measure of hyperarousal behaviour) along with predator stress significantly reduced BrdU-IR cells in comparison to rats that were only predator stressed.

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