Early adolescent stress ‐induced changes in prefrontal cortex miRNA‐135a and hippocampal miRNA‐16 in male rats

Abstract Early‐life stress increases susceptibility to post‐traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), in which the dysfunction of 5‐hydroxytryptamine plays an important role. miRNA‐135a in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and miRNA‐16 in the hippocampus (HIP) are closely related to the 5‐HT neurotransmitter system. Here, we investigated behavior, miRNA‐135a in the PFC, miRNA‐16 in the HIP, and 5‐HT1AR expression in both brain regions in adolescent and adult rats that were exposed to inescapable stress during their adolescence. Paroxetine hydrochloride and corticotropin‐releasing factor antagonist (CP‐154,526) were used as intervening measures. Our study demonstrated that early adolescent stress induced anxiety‐like behaviors and spatial memory damage, a reduction in miRNA‐135a expression was associated with increased 5‐HT1AR expression in PFC, and increased miRNA‐16 expression in the HIP of stressed rats. Drug treatments alleviated behaviors and reversed the miRNA‐135a, miRNA‐16, and 5‐HT1AR expression in stressed rats.
Source: Developmental Psychobiology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research