Sex-specific effects of corticosterone on hippocampally mediated learning in young rats

Claflin, Dragana Ivkovich; Hennessy, Michael B.; Jensen, Sarah J.

doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2005.03.015

Cited by 14 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Here we begin by reviewing previously published behavioral studies from our group (Claflin et al, 2005; 2014; Wentworth-Eidsaune et al, 2016) in which we examined corticosterone effects on the acquisition of eyeblink conditioning in juvenile rats. This review is an opportunity to weave together disparate findings and share new insights gleaned from examining the data as a whole.…”

Section: 0 Corticosterone Effects On Eyeblink Trace Conditioningmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In an initial study (Claflin et al, 2005), corticosterone was administered by way of 21-day timed-release subcutaneous pellets in order to examine the effects of chronic elevation of corticosterone beginning immediately post SHRP on later learning. Either a 35 mg corticosterone pellet or an equivalent-size inert placebo pellet was surgically implanted at the nape of the neck on PND 15.…”

Section: 0 Corticosterone Effects On Eyeblink Trace Conditioningmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Effects of corticosterone were not significant for delay conditioning but a significant impairment in acquisition of trace was observed for males only. (Adapted from Claflin et al, 2005)…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of postnatal glucocorticoids on hippocampal-dependent learning varies with elevation patterns and administration methods

Claflin

Schmidt

Vallandingham

et al. 2017

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

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Recent interest in the lasting effects of early-life stress has expanded to include effects on cognitive performance. An increase in circulating glucocorticoids is induced by stress exposure and glucocorticoid effects on the hippocampus likely underlie many of the cognitive consequences. Here we review studies showing that corticosterone administered to young rats at the conclusion of the stress-hyporesponsiveness period affects later performance in hippocampally-mediated trace eyeblink conditioning. The nature and even direction of these effects varies with the elevation patterns (level, duration, temporal fluctuation) achieved by different administration methods. We present new time course data indicating that constant glucocorticoid elevations generally corresponded with hippocampus-mediated learning deficits, whereas acute, cyclical elevations corresponded with improved initial acquisition. Sensitivity was greater for males than for females. Further, changes in hippocampal neurogenesis paralleled some but not all effects. The findings demonstrate that specific patterns of glucocorticoid elevation produced by different drug administration procedures can have markedly different, sex-specific consequences on basic cognitive performance and underlying hippocampal physiology. Implications of these findings for glucocorticoid medications prescribed in childhood are discussed.

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Section: 0 Corticosterone Effects On Eyeblink Trace Conditioningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: 0 Corticosterone Effects On Eyeblink Trace Conditioningmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of postnatal glucocorticoids on hippocampal-dependent learning varies with elevation patterns and administration methods

Claflin

Schmidt

Vallandingham

et al. 2017

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

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“…It has been well established that stressful situations can affect hippocampal-dependent learning and memory (Claflin et al 2005;Conrad et al 2004;Kitraki et al 2004;Xiong et al 2003) as well as hippocampal synaptic plasticity. In particular, acute stress can reduce LTP but enhance LTD (Alfarez et al 2003;Foy et al 1987;Kim et al 1996;Korz and Frey 2003;Shors and Thompson 1992;Xiong et al 2004;Xu et al 1997;Xu et al 1998).…”

Section: Running Stress and The Hpa Axismentioning

confidence: 99%

Exercising Our Brains: How Physical Activity Impacts Synaptic Plasticity in the Dentate Gyrus

et al. 2008

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Exercise that engages the cardiovascular system has a myriad of effects on the body; however, we usually do not give much consideration to the benefits it may have for our minds. An increasing body of evidence suggests that exercise can have some remarkable effects on the brain. In this article, we will introduce how exercise can impact the capacity for neurons in the brain to communicate with one another. To properly convey this information, we will first briefly introduce the field of synaptic plasticity and then examine how the introduction of exercise to the experimental setting can actually alter the basic properties of synaptic plasticity in the brain. Next, we will examine some of the candidate physiological processes that might underlay these alterations. Finally, we will close by noting that, taken together, this data points toward our brains being dynamic systems that are in a continual state of flux and that physical exercise may help us to maximize the performance of both our body and our minds.

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“…Given that prenatal corticosterone exposure influences cerebellar development (Velazquez and Romano, 1987), it is possible that the effects of maternal separation on adult learning and memory are mediated by neonatal increases in corticosterone. However, the effect of early corticosterone exposure may depend on the timing or duration of the manipulation, as corticosterone administration on PND 18-21 did not effect delay eyeblink conditioning in males (Claflin et al, 2005).…”

Section: Possible Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neonatal maternal separation alters adult eyeblink conditioning and glucocorticoid receptor expression in the interpositus nucleus of the cerebellum

Wilber

Southwood

Sokoloff

et al. 2007

Developmental Neurobiology

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Neonatal maternal separation alters learning and memory. Glucocorticoids also modulate adult learning and memory, and neonatal maternal separation alters forebrain glucocorticoid receptor (GR) concentrations. We used eyeblink classical conditioning to assess the effect of neonatal maternal separation on associative learning. We assessed delay eyeblink conditioning, GR expression, and total neuron number in the interpositus nucleus, a critical site of plasticity in eyeblink conditioning, in adult rats that had undergone either standard animal facilities rearing, handling for 15 min, or maternal separation for either 15 or 60 min per day on postnatal days 2-14. At 2-3 months of age, delay eyeblink classical conditioning was assessed. Brains were processed for GR immunohistochemistry, and GR expression in the interpositus nucleus was assessed using a computer-based densitometry system. Neuron counts and nuclear volumes were obtained from an alternate series of thionin-stained sections. Maternal separation significantly impaired eyeblink conditioning in male but not female rats. Handling and maternal separation did not significantly affect interpositus neuron number and volume. However, prolonged maternal separation significantly increased GR expression in the posterior interpositus in males, and increases were correlated with eyeblink conditioning. In female rats, maternal separation and handling did not significantly alter interpositus neuron number, volume, or GR protein expression, and GR expression did not correlate with eyeblink conditioning. Thus, neonatal maternal separation produces adult deficits in eyeblink conditioning and alterations in GR expression in its neural substrate in a sex-dependent manner.

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Sex-specific effects of corticosterone on hippocampally mediated learning in young rats

Cited by 14 publications

References 35 publications

Influence of postnatal glucocorticoids on hippocampal-dependent learning varies with elevation patterns and administration methods

Influence of postnatal glucocorticoids on hippocampal-dependent learning varies with elevation patterns and administration methods

Exercising Our Brains: How Physical Activity Impacts Synaptic Plasticity in the Dentate Gyrus

Neonatal maternal separation alters adult eyeblink conditioning and glucocorticoid receptor expression in the interpositus nucleus of the cerebellum

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