Behavioral endophenotypes of chronic unpredictable stress
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Date
2018
Authors
Badenhorst, Cecilia
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : Universtiy of Lethbridge, Department of Neuroscience
Abstract
Stress is the response to a perceived or real threat. Acute incidences of stress can be
beneficial. However, repeated stress can cause maladaptive changes in brain and behavior
leading to neuropsychiatric illnesses. Among publications on chronic stress, only recently
has its effects on decision-making been identified. I have designed a competitive choice
task (CCT) to measure changes in decision-making. Decision-making behaviors in this
task are governed by the dorsal lateral striatum, ventral striatum and medial prefrontal
cortex. These behaviors that these structures mediate are lose-shift, win-stay, and
extraneous feeder sampling, respectively. I find that chronic unpredictable stress increases
win-stay behavior strategies, decreases extraneous feeder sampling and increases speed
but does not affect lose-shift strategies. Chronic stress, therefore, increases activity within
the ventral striatum and decreases activity within the medial prefrontal cortex.
Description
Keywords
Brain -- Effect of stress on -- Research , Brain -- Effect of stress on -- Animal models , Stress (Psychology) -- Research , Stress (Psychology) -- Animal models , Affective disorders -- Research , Affective disorders -- Animal models , Decision making , Animal models in research , Dissertations, Academic , chronic stress , competitive choice task , medial prefrontal cortex , stress disorders , ventral striatum