Atrophy in the medial prefrontal cortex as a consequence of chronic stress - The role of the basolateral amygdala

de Groot, Jens (2020) Atrophy in the medial prefrontal cortex as a consequence of chronic stress - The role of the basolateral amygdala. Bachelor's Thesis, Life Science and Technology.

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Abstract

It is known that chronic stress has aversive effects on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Studies have shown that atrophy of pyramidal neurons in this area occurs. Chemical key players herein are glutamate and corticosterone and there are indications that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) plays a role in this. Anatomical and electrophysiological studies reveal that the BLA has glutamatergic projections that are widely distributed over the mPFC. Projections that might play a role in chronic stress-induced neuronal atrophy are direct, monosynaptic projections and indirect, polysynaptic projections. A major type of interneurons that is part of the indirect projection is the parvalbumin (PV) interneuron. It turns out that this interneuron is affected by chronic stress. It was demonstrated that restoring PV interneurons can prevent stress induced neuronal atrophy. In addition, dysregulated glutamatergic output from the BLA onto the mPFC is observed after chronic stress. Another role for the BLA in neuronal atrophy of the mPFC is seen in lesion studies in relation to glucocorticoids. In general, the findings suggest a role for the BLA in the effect of glutamate and glucocorticoids in neuronal atrophy in the mPFC. However, direct correlations between glutamatergic innervation of the BLA onto the mPFC and neuronal atrophy have not yet been studied. In addition, it seems that studies on PV interneurons in relation to neuronal atrophy in this area in particular still need to be done.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Havekes, R.
Degree programme:	Life Science and Technology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	24 Jun 2020 11:16
Last Modified:	24 Jun 2020 11:16
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/22125

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