Changes in the vascular area fraction of the hippocampus and amygdala are induced by prenatal dexamethasone and/or adult stress

J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2010 Jun;30(6):1100-4. doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2010.46. Epub 2010 Apr 7.

Abstract

In addition to the neuronal and behavioral consequences of excess glucocorticoid exposure, the cerebrovascular system can also be adversely affected by stressors. This study determined that chronic stress in adulthood decreased the vascular area fraction of the hippocampus and increased the vascular area fraction of the amygdala. In addition, the data indicated that prenatal exposure to synthetic glucocorticoids modulated the effects of adult stress on vascular area fraction of the hippocampus and amygdala. These data indicate that in addition to the well-documented stress-induced changes in neurons and glia, cerebral vasculature is also altered by exposure to stressors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amygdala / blood supply*
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / drug effects
  • Dexamethasone / adverse effects*
  • Dexamethasone / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects*
  • Glucocorticoids / pharmacology
  • Hippocampus / blood supply*
  • Neurons
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Long-Evans
  • Stress, Physiological / drug effects*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Dexamethasone