Acute stress impairs sensorimotor gating via the neurosteroid allopregnanolone in the prefrontal cortex.

ABSTRACT: Ample evidence indicates that environmental stress impairs information processing, yet the underlying mechanisms remain partially elusive. We showed that, in several rodent models of psychopathology, the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (AP) reduces the prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle, a well-validated index of sensorimotor gating. Since this GABA_A receptor activator is synthesized in response to acute stress, we hypothesized its participation in stress-induced PPI deficits. Systemic AP administration reduced PPI in C57BL/6J mice and Long-Evans, but not Sprague-Dawley rats. These effects were reversed by isoallopregnanolone (isoAP), an endogenous AP antagonist, and the GABA_A receptor antagonist bicuculline and mimicked by AP infusions in the medial prefrontal co

SUBMITTER: Cadeddu R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9755022 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature