Morphological changes in the hippocampal CA3 region induced by non-invasive glucocorticoid administration: a paradox

Repeated stress induces atrophy, or remodeling, of apical dendrites in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons. In rats, the stress effect is blocked by adrenal steroid synthesis inhibitors, and mimicked by daily injection of corticosterone. We report that non-invasive administration of corticosterone in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain research 1998-11, Vol.809 (2), p.314-318
Main Authors: Magariños, Ana Marı́a, Orchinik, Miles, McEwen, Bruce S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administration, Oral
Anatomy
Animals
Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology
Atrophy
Biological and medical sciences
Cell Size - drug effects
Central nervous system
Corticosterone
Corticosterone - pharmacology
Dendrites - drug effects
Dendrites - pathology
Dendritic atrophy
Drinking
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Golgi impregnation
Hippocampus - pathology
Male
Organ Size
Pyramidal Cells - drug effects
Pyramidal Cells - pathology
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Restraint, Physical
Silver Staining
Space life sciences
Stress
Stress, Physiological - physiopathology
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
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Summary:Repeated stress induces atrophy, or remodeling, of apical dendrites in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons. In rats, the stress effect is blocked by adrenal steroid synthesis inhibitors, and mimicked by daily injection of corticosterone. We report that non-invasive administration of corticosterone in the drinking water (400 μg/ml) also produced atrophy of apical dendrites in CA3. Unexpectedly, the combination of daily stress and oral corticosterone negated the effects of either treatment alone, and no changes in the apical dendritic length or branching pattern of CA3 pyramidal neurons were observed compared to control unstressed rats.
ISSN:0006-8993
1872-6240
DOI:10.1016/S0006-8993(98)00882-8