title: Hippocampal neuroplasticity induced by early-life stress: functional and molecular aspects.
abstract: Whereas genetic factors contribute crucially to brain function, early-life events, including stress, exert long-lasting influence on neuronal function. Here, we focus on the hippocampus as the target of these early-life events because of its crucial role in learning and memory. Using a novel immature-rodent model, we describe the deleterious consequences of chronic early-life 'psychological' stress on hippocampus-dependent cognitive tasks. We review the cellular mechanisms involved and discuss the roles of stress-mediating molecules, including corticotropin releasing hormone, in the process by which stress impacts the structure and function of hippocampal neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California at Irvine, 92697-4475, USA.
authors.forename: Kristina A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Fenoglio
authors.forename: Kristen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Brunson
authors.forename: Tallie Z
authors.initials: TZ
authors.lastname: Baram
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D003423:Critical Period, Psychological; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone