title: A novel animal model of hippocampal cognitive deficits, slow neurodegeneration, and neuroregeneration.
abstract: Long-term adrenalectomy (ADX) results in an extensive and specific loss of dentate gyrus granule cells in the hippocampus of adult rats. This loss of granule cells extends over a period of weeks to months and ultimately results in cognitive deficits revealed in a number of tasks that depend on intact hippocampal function. The gradual nature of ADX-induced cell death and the ensuing deficits in cognition resemble in some important respects a variety of pathological conditions in humans. Here, we characterize behavioural and cellular processes, including adult neurogenesis, in the rat ADX model. We also provide experimental evidence for a neurogenic treatment strategy by which the lost hippocampal cells may be replaced, with the goal of functional recovery in mind.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. simon.spanswick@uleth.ca
authors.forename: Simon C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Spanswick
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Sutherland
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000378:metabolism; D018891:Dentate Gyrus / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D055495:Neurogenesis; D051381:Rats