Dendritic spine density is increased on nucleus accumbens D2 neurons after chronic social defeat
Date
2020-07-24Journal
Scientific ReportsPublisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLCType
Article
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Stress alters the structure and function of brain reward circuitry and is an important risk factor for developing depression. In the nucleus accumbens (NAc), structural and physiological plasticity of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) have been linked to increased stress-related and depression-like behaviors. NAc MSNs have opposing roles in driving stress-related behaviors that is dependent on their dopamine receptor expression. After chronic social defeat stress, NAc MSNs exhibit increased dendritic spine density. However, it remains unclear if the dendritic spine plasticity is MSN subtype specific. Here we use viral labeling to characterize dendritic spine morphology specifically in dopamine D2 receptor expressing MSNs (D2-MSNs). After chronic social defeat, D2-MSNs exhibit increased spine density that is correlated with enhanced social avoidance behavior. Together, our data indicate dendritic spine plasticity is MSN subtype specific, improving our understanding of structural plasticity after chronic stress. © 2020, The Author(s).Sponsors
National Institute of Mental HealthKeyword
neurobiology of chronic stressDendritic Spines
Nucleus Accumbens
Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders--physiopathology
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http://hdl.handle.net/10713/13484ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1038/s41598-020-69339-7
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0