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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Dendritic spines of the medial amygdala: plasticity, density, shape, and subcellular modulation by sex steroids

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Author(s):
Rasia-Filho, Alberto A. [1, 2] ; Dalpian, Francine [2] ; Menezes, Itiana C. [1] ; Brusco, Janaina [3, 4] ; Moreira, Jorge E. [3, 4] ; Cohen, Rochelle S. [5]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Grad Program Neurosci, BR-90046900 Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
[2] Fed Univ Hlth Sci Porto Alegre, Graduat Program Pathol, Dept Basic Sci Physiol, Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Sch Med, Dept Cell Mol Biol & Biopathogens, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Sch Med, Dept Neurosci & Behav, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[5] Univ Illinois, Dept Anat & Cell Biol, Chicago, IL - USA
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Review article
Source: HISTOLOGY AND HISTOPATHOLOGY; v. 27, n. 8, p. 985-1011, AUG 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 26
Abstract

The medial nucleus of the amygdala (MeA) is a complex component of the ``extended amygdala{''} in rats. Its posterodorsal subnucleus (MePD) has a remarkable expression of gonadal hormone receptors, is sexually dimorphic or affected by sex steroids, and modulates various social behaviors. Dendritic spines show remarkable changes relevant for synaptic strength and plasticity. Adult males have more spines than females, the density of dendritic spines changes in the course of hours to a few days and is lower in proestrous and estrous phases of the ovarian cycle, or is affected by both sex steroid withdrawal and hormonal replacement therapy in the MePD. Males also have more thin spines than mushroom-like or stubby/wide ones. The presence of dendritic fillopodia and axonal protusions in the MePD neuropil of adult animals reinforces the evidence for local plasticity. Estrogen affects synaptic and cellular growth and neuroprotection in the MeA by regulating the activity of the cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-related gene products, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and the activity-regulated cytoskeleton-related protein (Arc). These effects on signal transduction cascades can also lead to local protein synthesis and/or rearrangement of the cytoskeleton and subsequent numerical/morphological alterations in dendritic spines. Various working hypotheses are raised from these experimental data and reveal the MePD as a relevant region to study the effects of sex steroids in the rat brain. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 09/01571-6 - The postero-dorsal medial amigdala of rats during the estrus cycle: morfology, mRNA expression, synaptic proteins and laterality
Grantee:Jorge Eduardo Moreira
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 11/10753-0 - Neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of rats submitted to the maternal separation and enriched environment
Grantee:Jorge Eduardo Moreira
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants