The influence of chronic unpredictable stress on oligodendrocyte function in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex on memory processes

• Grant number: 22/16523-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: April 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Neuropsychopharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Carolina Demarchi Munhoz
• Grantee: João Lucas de Sousa Peres
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/02397-0 - The Stress-Alzheimer's Nexus: Unraveling the Microglial Mitochondrial Roles., BE.EP.DD

Abstract

Prolonged periods of stress may cause or potentiate pathologies. Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), ultimately releasing glucocorticoid hormones (GCs) which activate mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors. These receptors will mediate rapid and delayed responses to stress and the formation and maintenance of aversive memories. MR and GR are expressed in essential brain regions related to cognition, memory and stress processing, such as the hippocampus (HP) and infralimbic prefrontal cortex (IL-mPFC). Synergistically, neuroinflammation during stress can affect myelination and, consequently, the individual's motor, cognitive, and emotional capacity. However, little is known about the stress effects on the central nervous system associated with oligodendrocytes, myelinating glial cells essential for maintaining cognitive ability, decision-making, and memory processes. Thus, this project aims to understand how unpredictable chronic stress changes oligodendrocytes' function in the rat hippocampus and infralimbic prefrontal cortex in memory processes and the influence of an inflammatory stimulus in this context. (AU)