Abstract
Animals cope with changing environments through changes in behavior. Such plasticity is, however, marked by substantial inter-individual variability. Neuroendocrine reactivity to challenging environments can be an important predictor of resilience. Both basolateral amygdala (BLA) neurons and adrenal glucocorticoid signaling are integral parts of the stress neuroendocrine response. In this report, we test if individual variation in hormonal response to stress is associated with individual variation in the dendritic complexity of BLA neurons. We report a positive correlation between inter-individual variability in glucocorticoid response and neuronal plasticity in the BLA subsequent to a stressor. This suggests that stressful experiences in the past act as significant sculptors of BLA neuronal plasticity and congruent neuroendocrine response.
Highlights
Animals frequently respond to changes in the environment by changing their endocrine milieu.For example, episodic environmental challenges lead to a rise in adrenal hormones, including glucocorticoids [1]
Meta-analytic estimates for the coefficient of variation at 30 to 60 min after restraint stress range from 50% to 60% in a variety of animals [4]. These numbers suggest that, generally, a large number of individuals exhibit significant departures from mean glucocorticoid response of the group. Biological underpinnings of such large inter-individual variation remain understudied at the present
elevated plus maze maze (EPM) could not be measured in one animal, and spine density of basolateral amygdala (BLA) neurons could not be measured in in two two animals, animals, due due to to procedural procedural failures
Summary
Animals frequently respond to changes in the environment by changing their endocrine milieu.For example, episodic environmental challenges lead to a rise in adrenal hormones, including glucocorticoids [1]. The coefficient of variation for glucocorticoid response to a threatening environment lies at 98% for the data presented in this report. Such large variation is consistent with previously published reports and meta-analyses conducted in a variety of animals. Meta-analytic estimates for the coefficient of variation at 30 to 60 min after restraint stress range from 50% to 60% in a variety of animals [4]. These numbers suggest that, generally, a large number of individuals exhibit significant departures from mean glucocorticoid response of the group. Biological underpinnings of such large inter-individual variation remain understudied at the present
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