Cited by 625Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanismsStress Responses and CortisolMemory and Neural Mechanisms

Early life experience alters response of adult neurogenesis to stress

Mirescu, Christian, Peters, Jennifer D, Gould, Elizabeth·2004·Nature Neuroscience

Abstract

Maternal deprivation produces persistent abnormalities in behavioral and neuroendocrine functions associated with the hippocampus, a brain region that shows considerable structural change in response to experience throughout life. Here we show that adverse experience early in life affects the regulation of adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus. More specifically, a decrease in cell proliferation and immature neuron production are observed in the dentate gyrus of adult rats that are maternally separated as pups. Although maternally separated rats show normal basal levels of corticosterone, the suppression of cell proliferation in these rats can be reversed by lowering corticosterone below the control value. In addition, normal stress-induced suppression of cell proliferation and neurogenesis, despite normal activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, is not observed in maternally separated rats. Our results suggest that early adverse experience inhibits structural plasticity via hypersensitivity to glucocorticoids and diminishes the ability of the hippocampus to respond to stress in adulthood.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nn1290

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Authors
Mirescu, C., Peters, J. D., & Gould, E.
Affiliations
Princeton University (US)
Corresponding author
Gould, Elizabeth
Venue
Nature Neuroscience
Published
2004-07-25
Volume
7
Issue
8
Pages
841-846
ISSN
  • 1097-6256 (ISSN-L)
  • 1546-1726
OpenAlex
W1964173716
Cited by
625
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 37 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 34 · 2012: 24
FWCI
9.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH059740, P50MH058922, MH58922, MH-59740)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Keywords
childhood adversity, maternal separation, adult neurogenesis, hippocampus, dentate gyrus, cell proliferation, corticosterone, glucocorticoid sensitivity, stress response, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, structural plasticity
MeSH terms
Animals, Cell Division, Corticosterone, Female, Hippocampus, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Immunohistochemistry, Maternal Deprivation, Neuronal Plasticity, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Stress, Psychological, Rats

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