[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

embryonic and early postnatal period, whilst alpha1 are most prominent during later
developmental stages. We have shown before that Juvenile stress impairs coping behavior in
adulthood. The present study examined the effects of Juvenile stress on GABAA subunit
expression in both the amygdala and hippocampus. The open field, startle response test, and the
elevated plus maze were used to assess anxiety level alterations 1 month following the exposure
to Juvenile stress. Following the behavioral assessment, abnormal pattern of alpha1, 2 and 3
subunits expression was found in the amygdala and hippocampus. To assess for the functional
significance of such alterations the response of Juvenile stressed rats to benzodiazepines (BZs)
(Diazepam, Brotizolam) was evaluated. Results suggest that these alterations in GABAA subunit
expression are associated with altered sensitivity to BZs. The results suggest that altered
GABAergic functionality contributes to Juvenile-stress induced impaired ability to cope with
challenges in adulthood.
Disclosures: G. Richter-Levin , None; S. Jacobson-Pick, None.
Poster
283. Stress-Regulated Pathways II
Time: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Program#/Poster#: 283.26/PP22
Topic: E.06.f. Stress modulated pathways
Support: NIH Grant MH41256
NIH Grant 5P50 MH58911
Title: Short term and long term effects of different stressors on CART mRNA expression
Authors: *M. M. MILLER, R. G. HUNTER, K. J. MCCARTHY, B. S. MCEWEN;
Lab. Neuroendocrinol, The Rockefeller Univ., New York, NY
Abstract: The neuropeptide CART (cocaine-amphetamine-regulated-transcript) is found in
many areas of the brain that are involved in the stress response. CART has been shown to cause
elevated ACTH levels and anxiogenic-like effects when administered into the ventricles. Recent
studies have shown an increase in CART mRNA expression in central amygdala two hours after
an acute restraint stress and an increase in expression in the dentate gyrus after three weeks of
chronic restraint stress. In the current study, we examined two types of stressors, immobilization
in a restraining bag and exposure to cat odor, and their effect on CART expression and anxiety.
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a single 2-hour immobilization stress or a single 10minute
exposure to used cat litter and a ball of cat hair. Groups of rats were sacrificed either 2