Chronic Unpredictable Stress
Objective: To examine the effects of chronic unpredictable stress on hippocampal and amygdaloid neuronal morphology in rats, specifically measuring dendritic remodeling patterns
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Equipment1
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Protocol Steps
Chronic Unpredictable Stress (CUS) Application
Apply chronic unpredictable stress to rats as one of two stress models examined in the study
Note: CUS is contrasted with chronic immobilization stress (CIS) to examine differential effects on neuronal morphology
View evidence from paper
“Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS), however, had little effect on CA3 pyramidal neurons and induced atrophy only in BLA bipolar neurons”
Behavioral Testing on Elevated Plus-Maze
Assess open-arm activity and anxiety-like behavior following stress application
Note: CUS did not reduce open-arm activity, unlike CIS
View evidence from paper
“CIS, but not CUS, reduced open-arm activity in the elevated plus-maze”
Neuronal Morphology Analysis
Examine dendritic remodeling patterns in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons and amygdaloid neurons (pyramidal, stellate, and bipolar neurons in basolateral complex)
Note: CUS induced atrophy only in BLA bipolar neurons with little effect on CA3 pyramidal neurons
View evidence from paper
“Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS), however, had little effect on CA3 pyramidal neurons and induced atrophy only in BLA bipolar neurons”