Long-term behavioral and neuroendocrine alterations following chronic social stress in mice: Implications for stress-related disorders

A test to identify judgement bias in mice

“…In addition, post-testing stress hormone levels (pCORT) were increased in mice that were tested under white light, confirming that testing under these conditions indeed was more stressful for the animals. Although this is in accordance with previous results showing that an aversive environment (such as exposure to novelty or predator odour) causes an inhibition of familiar food intake in mice [58,59], it is difficult to compare the groups tested under the different light conditions regarding their relative judgment bias. Further, it might be discussed whether results were confounded in that the presentation of a negative associated odour cue itself induced a more negative affective state and whether, thus, the mere presence of this odour in the Page 25 of 46…”

Epigenetic regulation of theglucocorticoid receptorpromoter 17in adult rats

“…A minor, but not significant (p > 0.05) increase in corticosterone was observed 4 h after restraint initiation, corresponding to the start of the afternoon circadian increase in corticosterone levels of these nocturnal animals. during adulthood, [13][14][15] with neuroendocrine changes persisting for more than 12 mo after exposure to chronic stress. 14 This HPA axis plasticity is associated with significantly reduced MR and GR levels in certain hippocampus regions, 13,15 possibly due to methylation of the receptor genes.…”

“…during adulthood, [13][14][15] with neuroendocrine changes persisting for more than 12 mo after exposure to chronic stress. 14 This HPA axis plasticity is associated with significantly reduced MR and GR levels in certain hippocampus regions, 13,15 possibly due to methylation of the receptor genes. Infusion of L-Methionine, a precursor of the methyl-group donor S-adenosyl-methionine, directly into the brain of rats having experienced high maternal care altered the functional and behavioral phenotype to that of the hypermethylated low maternal care group.…”

“…5 Sense probes were used as negative controls. After hybridization, slides were put in a cassette and a Biomax-MR film (Kodak) was exposed for 3 d (Gr) to 13 d (exon 1 7 ) and 14 C microscales (GE healthcare) were used to calibrate the signal. Films were scanned and quantified using the Image J software.…”

A translational research framework for enhanced validity of mouse models of psychopathological states in depression

“…Chronic social stress in the form of regular changing of social group composition leads to increased anxiety on the elevated plus maze and increased immobility in the tail suspension test, in mouse (Schmidt et al, 2007;Sterlemann et al, 2008). Chronic social defeat by physical aggression and the threat thereof leads to a reduced preference for palatable sucrose solution and to increased anxiety on the elevated plus maze, in mouse (Berton et al, 2007;Krishnan et al, 2007).…”