Effects of Early-Life Stress on the Brain and Behaviors: Implications of Early Maternal Separation in Rodents
Early-life stress during the prenatal and postnatal periods affects the formation of neural networks that influence brain function throughout life. Previous studies have indicated that maternal separation (MS), a typical rodent model equivalent to early-life stress and, more specifically, to child a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-09-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/19/7212 |
| _version_ | 1797552211390103552 |
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| author | Mayumi Nishi |
| author_facet | Mayumi Nishi |
| author_sort | Mayumi Nishi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Early-life stress during the prenatal and postnatal periods affects the formation of neural networks that influence brain function throughout life. Previous studies have indicated that maternal separation (MS), a typical rodent model equivalent to early-life stress and, more specifically, to child abuse and/or neglect in humans, can modulate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, affecting subsequent neuronal function and emotional behavior. However, the neural basis of the long-lasting effects of early-life stress on brain function has not been clarified. In the present review, we describe the alterations in the HPA-axis activity—focusing on serum corticosterone (CORT)—and in the end products of the HPA axis as well as on the CORT receptor in rodents. We then introduce the brain regions activated during various patterns of MS, including repeated MS and single exposure to MS at various stages before weaning, via an investigation of c-Fos expression, which is a biological marker of neuronal activity. Furthermore, we discuss the alterations in behavior and gene expression in the brains of adult mice exposed to MS. Finally, we ask whether MS repeats itself and whether intergenerational transmission of child abuse and neglect is possible. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:56:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-54fdd165bd814607b70ce8658d82c275 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:56:45Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-54fdd165bd814607b70ce8658d82c2752023-11-20T15:33:51ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672020-09-012119721210.3390/ijms21197212Effects of Early-Life Stress on the Brain and Behaviors: Implications of Early Maternal Separation in RodentsMayumi Nishi0Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara 634-8521, JapanEarly-life stress during the prenatal and postnatal periods affects the formation of neural networks that influence brain function throughout life. Previous studies have indicated that maternal separation (MS), a typical rodent model equivalent to early-life stress and, more specifically, to child abuse and/or neglect in humans, can modulate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, affecting subsequent neuronal function and emotional behavior. However, the neural basis of the long-lasting effects of early-life stress on brain function has not been clarified. In the present review, we describe the alterations in the HPA-axis activity—focusing on serum corticosterone (CORT)—and in the end products of the HPA axis as well as on the CORT receptor in rodents. We then introduce the brain regions activated during various patterns of MS, including repeated MS and single exposure to MS at various stages before weaning, via an investigation of c-Fos expression, which is a biological marker of neuronal activity. Furthermore, we discuss the alterations in behavior and gene expression in the brains of adult mice exposed to MS. Finally, we ask whether MS repeats itself and whether intergenerational transmission of child abuse and neglect is possible.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/19/7212neglectc-FosHPA axisreward-seeking behaviortransgenerationepigenetics |
| spellingShingle | Mayumi Nishi Effects of Early-Life Stress on the Brain and Behaviors: Implications of Early Maternal Separation in Rodents International Journal of Molecular Sciences neglect c-Fos HPA axis reward-seeking behavior transgeneration epigenetics |
| title | Effects of Early-Life Stress on the Brain and Behaviors: Implications of Early Maternal Separation in Rodents |
| title_full | Effects of Early-Life Stress on the Brain and Behaviors: Implications of Early Maternal Separation in Rodents |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Early-Life Stress on the Brain and Behaviors: Implications of Early Maternal Separation in Rodents |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Early-Life Stress on the Brain and Behaviors: Implications of Early Maternal Separation in Rodents |
| title_short | Effects of Early-Life Stress on the Brain and Behaviors: Implications of Early Maternal Separation in Rodents |
| title_sort | effects of early life stress on the brain and behaviors implications of early maternal separation in rodents |
| topic | neglect c-Fos HPA axis reward-seeking behavior transgeneration epigenetics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/19/7212 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mayuminishi effectsofearlylifestressonthebrainandbehaviorsimplicationsofearlymaternalseparationinrodents |