n Adult rats subjected to neonatal handling
u Decreased HPA axis responses to stress
« mediated by up-regulation of
glucocorticoid receptors in the
hippocampus (Meaney et al)
n Rat pups sep. from mothers in 1st 3 wks
have higher corticosterone levels and
greater cort responses to acute stress.
n Chronic stress can result in damage to
hippocampal neurons due to high
circulating corticosterone levels
n Increased CRF may result from maternal
deprivation, increase risk of depression
(found in adult monkeys whose mothers
were subjected to variable foraging
conditions—Coplan et al, 1996)
9/22/2004