title: Stress modulation of hippocampal activity--spotlight on the dentate gyrus.
abstract: The effects of stress on learning and memory are diverse, ranging from impairment to facilitation. Many studies emphasize the major role of the hippocampus, mainly its CA1 and CA3 areas, in the process of memory formation under emotional and stressful conditions. In the current review, we summarize work which suggests that the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus is likely to play a pivotal role in defining the impact of stress on hippocampal functioning. We describethe effects of stress on long term potentiation (LTP) and local circuit activity in the DG and the role of the amygdala in mediating these effects. As one of the brain regions known to have a high rate of adult neurogenesis, the effects of stress on DG neurogenesis will also be reviewed. Finally, we discuss exposure to stress during juvenility and its influence on the adult DG. The DG is a dynamic structure which is susceptible to stress. Under stressful conditions, its response is variable and complex, much like the behavioral outcomes of such circumstances. It is likely to significantly contribute to the diverse effects of stress on memory formation.
authors.affiliation: "Sagol" Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, 31095 Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: MingXin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fa
authors.affiliation: "Sagol" Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, 31095 Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: "Sagol" Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, 31095 Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anunu
authors.affiliation: The Institute for the Study of Affective Neuroscience (ISAN), University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, 31905 Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Orli
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kehat
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI), Universität Tübingen, Markwiesenstr. 55, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kriebel
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI), Universität Tübingen, Markwiesenstr. 55, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Hansjürgen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Volkmer
authors.affiliation: "Sagol" Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, 31095 Haifa, Israel; Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, 31905 Haifa, Israel; The Institute for the Study of Affective Neuroscience (ISAN), University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, 31905 Haifa, Israel. Electronic address: galrichterlevin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Richter-Levin
mesh_terms: D000679:Amygdala / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D018891:Dentate Gyrus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Dentate gyrus; Hippocampus; LTP; Neurogenesis; Stress