Early adolescence as a critical window during which social stress distinctly alters behavior and brain norepinephrine activity.

ABSTRACT: Many neural programs that shape behavior become established during adolescence. Adverse events at this age can have enduring consequences for both adolescent and adult mental health. Here we show that repeated social stress at different stages of adolescent development differentially affects rat behavior and neuronal activity. Early-adolescent (PND 28, EA), mid-adolescent (PND 42, MA), and adult (PND 63) rats were subjected to resident-intruder social stress (7 days) and behavior was examined 24-72 h later. In EA rats selectively, resident-intruder stress increased proactive responses in the defensive burying and forced swim tests. In adult rats, resident-intruder stress decreased burying behavior regardless of whether the animal was stressed as an adult or during early adolescence. As the

SUBMITTER: Bingham B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3055730 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature