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Prenatal stress alters hippocampal synaptic plasticity in young rat offspring through preventing the proteolytic conversion of pro‐brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to mature BDNF
Author(s) -
Yeh CheMing,
Huang ChiungChun,
Hsu KueiSen
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.222042
Subject(s) - long term potentiation , synaptic plasticity , neurotrophic factors , hippocampal formation , offspring , endocrinology , brain derived neurotrophic factor , medicine , prenatal stress , hippocampus , neuroscience , psychology , biology , pregnancy , receptor , genetics
Non‐technical summary Prenatal stress (PS) has been associated with a higher risk for the development of various neurological and psychiatric disorders later in life, but the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Our results support an action mode in which PS downregulates tissue plasminogen activator levels within the hippocampus, inhibiting the proteolytic conversion of pro‐brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (pro‐BDNF) to the mature form of BDNF, thereby leading to long‐lasting alterations of the properties of synaptic plasticity. Our findings bolster the idea that stressful experience during gestation or early in life may lead to long‐lasting malfunction of the hippocampus and our PS model may be useful for the development of more effective intervention and prevention strategies.