Adolescent adversity persistently induces proinflammatory HMGB1 signaling and disrupts the basal forebrain cholinergic system in female rats.

ABSTRACT: Adolescence is a critical period of neurodevelopment characterized by heightened neuroplasticity and refinement of executive functioning and cognition. Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons mature during this period, coinciding with development of adult cognitive function. Exposure to adolescent adversity has been linked to long-lasting neurobiological and cognitive consequences, yet the mechanisms underlying these outcomes remain poorly understood. Using a preclinical model of adolescent intermittent restraint stress (AIRS), we tested the hypothesis that adolescent adversity induces lasting proinflammatory innate immune signaling, loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, and cognitive deficits in adult female rats. We report that AIRS elevated plasma levels of corticosterone and proinfl

SUBMITTER: Ross H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12807636 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature