Chronic Escitalopram Treatment Does Not Alter the Effects of Neonatal Stress on Hippocampal BDNF Levels, 5-HT(1A)Expression and Emotional Behaviour of Male and Female Adolescent Rats

Author(s)

Henn, Lorena ^[1] ; Zanta, Natalia C. ^[1] ; Girardi, Carlos Eduardo N. ^[1] ; Suchecki, Deborah ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, Rua Napoleao Barros 925, 1 Andar, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Molecular Neurobiology; v. 58, n. 3, p. 926-943, MAR 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Early life stress is considered a risk factor for the development of long-term psychiatric disorders. Maternal deprivation (MD) is a useful paradigm to understand the neurobiological underpinnings of early stress-induced changes in neurodevelopment trajectory. The goal of the present study was to examine the effects of a chronic treatment with escitalopram (ESC) on the hippocampal levels of BDNF and neuropeptide Y (NPY), expression of serotonin type 1A receptor (5-HT1A), plasma corticosterone levels and emotional behaviours in male and female adolescent rats submitted to MD at 9 days of life (group DEP9) and challenged with a brief and mild stress (saline injection (SAL)) at the end of MD. Whole litters were kept with mothers (CTL) or submitted to MD (DEP9). Within each group, pups were stress-challenged (CTL-SAL and DEP9-SAL) or not (CTL-NSAL and DEP9-NSAL). ESC or vehicle treatments began at weaning and lasted 24 days, when animals were sacrificed for determination of neurobiological variables or submitted to a battery of tests for evaluation of emotional behaviours. The results showed that BDNF levels were higher in SAL-challenged males and in DEP9-SAL females, whereas 5-HT(1A)receptor expression was reduced in DEP9 males and in SAL-challenged females. There were no changes in NPY or corticosterone levels. In the forced swim test, SAL-challenged males and DEP9 females displayed less immobility and ESC only increased social motivation in males. The results indicated that neonatal stress led to sex-dependent changes in neurobiology and behaviour and that chronic ESC treatment had minor effects on these parameters. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/24745-0 - Effect of treatment with escitalopram on behavioral alterations resulting from maternal deprivation at postnatal day 9 in Wistar rats
• Grantee: Natália Cristina Zanta
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 15/26364-4 - Neurobiologic mechanisms involved in the long-term emotional effects of maternal deprivation
• Grantee: Deborah Suchecki
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants