Chronic Social Stress Increases Gene Expression in Mice, Reversed by Antidepressant Treatment
Author Information
Author(s): Böer Ulrike, Alejel Tahseen, Beimesche Stephan, Cierny Irmgard, Krause Doris, Knepel Willhart, Flügge Gabriele
Primary Institution: Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
Hypothesis
Chronic social stress increases CRE/CREB-driven gene expression, which can be reversed by antidepressant treatment.
Conclusion
Chronic social stress significantly increases CRE/CREB-driven gene expression in mice, and this effect can be normalized by the antidepressant imipramine.
Supporting Evidence
- Chronic social stress increased luciferase activity significantly in several brain regions.
- Imipramine treatment normalized luciferase expression to control levels in stressed mice.
- CREB phosphorylation was significantly elevated in stressed mice, indicating increased transcriptional activity.
Takeaway
When mice are stressed, their brains change in a way that can lead to depression, but giving them a medicine called imipramine can help fix that.
Methodology
Transgenic mice were subjected to chronic psychosocial stress, and luciferase activity was measured to assess CRE/CREB-directed transcription.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in the interpretation of behavioral changes due to the subjective nature of stress assessment.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on male mice, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to females.
Participant Demographics
Male CRE-Luc mice aged 12-15 weeks.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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