HIPPOCAMPAL SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY: EFFECTS OF NEONATAL STRESS IN FREELY MOVING ADULT MALE RATS

Abstract

One CNS structure especially vulnerable to the effects of stress is the hippocampal formation (1-5), which has been implicated in many learning and memory processes. Since significant neuro- and synaptogenesis occurs postnatally within specific subfields of the hippocampal formation, the adaptative response to stress which occurs in this structure is of particular interest. Given the predominantly postnatal neurogenesis of the dentate granule cells, it is reasonable to hypothesize that these lategenerated cells and their emerging synaptic connections would be particularly vulnerable to the effects of stress during this period of neonatal development. [...]