Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 809, Issue 2, 2 November 1998, Pages 314-318
Brain Research

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

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-8993(98)00882-8Get rights and content

Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by NIH Grant MH 41256 to BM, Servier (France) and The Health Foundation (New York).

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